Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

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Warriner Lytle Buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Warriner Lytle', is a low horticultural selection of the perennial soft woody shrub species Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat). This tough and drought tolerant native cultivar combines the hardiness and habitat value of the species, with the garden versatility of its selected low-growing form. This dependable groundcover plant is adaptable and easy to grow.

Warriner Lytle Buckwheat can reach 1-2' high but is often more prostrate. Its arching branches can spread 4'-5' wide. Fine dark-green, needle-like green leaves are topped in the summer by globe shaped clusters of pinkish-white to cream flowers, that then age to a rusty red-brown in late summer or autumn. It adds floral color to the summer native garden, and is a major draw in butterfly, pollinator, and bird habitat gardens. This low buckwheat makes a good ground cover, or an accent plant beside patios and pathways for enjoying the blooms and many butterflies they attract. With its dense foliage coverage and deep roots this ground cover is good for erosion control, slope stabilization, suppressing weed germination, and dry hot slopes.

California Buckwheats are a favorite nectar source for many butterfly species, native leaf cutter bees, and honey bees. As the summer progresses into autumn the birds will flock to feed on the seeds. Warriner Lytle Buckwheat will tolerate almost any soil type, including clay when planted on slopes or raised mounds, and take summer's high heat. Once established it needs very little water, one can provide occasional deep watering or none. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Warriner Lytle' was selected and introduced for gardens by the Theodore Payne Foundation in Los Angeles, who named it for one of their dedicated volunteers.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

1 - 2 ft Tall
4 - 8 ft Wide

Form

Prostrate

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen

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Color

Cream, White

Flowering season

Summer

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

15

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates a wide variety of soils.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.5

Maintenance

This buckwheat cultivar can benefit from an annual pruning in the late autumn or winter, dead-heading the dried flowers, and lightly heading back the foliage for denser and lower growth. One can try an occasional hard pruning in the late autumn to renew an older plant, or to substantially decrease its height or width, but it will not always recover.

Many companions including Brittlebush (Encelia spp.), Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), Sage (Salvia spp.), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Ceanothus species, Yucca species, Dudleya species, and cactus species

Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies