Red-flowering buckwheat
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
Care
full sun
very low
Medium, Slow; Tolerates clay well. Tolerates saline soil..
0–1ft tall , 3–3ft wide
Jun-Nov
Evergreen
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Southern California chaparral and scrub in San Diego and Orange counties, 100-2500 ft elevation.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your red-flowering buckwheat in full sun in a location with good drainage - it tolerates clay and even saline soil well, so you have flexibility here. The best time to plant is in fall or early spring. Space plants about 1–2 feet apart since they're mat-forming and spread slowly. If you're in a hotter inland Bay Area location, afternoon shade will help it thrive and reduce your watering needs.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer to establish the plant, then cut back to once weekly or less as it matures - established plants need only minimal water. Once established (typically by year two), you can go weeks without watering. Expect blooms from June through November. The #1 mistake is overwatering: this is a drought-tolerant native that will rot in soggy soil, so err on the side of dry.
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Wildlife Supported
Insects
Primary larval host plant
Larval host plant for multiple generations
Early season pollen and nectar
Primary spring foraging resource
Spring specialist pollen forager
Early spring pollen collection for larval provisions
Small bee specialist on buckwheat flowers
Early season nectar source for colony establishment
+7 more species