Sulphur buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) is an attractive small perennial with cute spoon-shaped leaves and bright yellow to creamy yellow flowers. This species has many varieties. It may form a small clump with rosettes of silver-green foliage and flowers to 4 inches tall, or a sprawling shrub approaching 7 feet high and wide.  It is fast growing and flowers in summer.

Sulphur buckwheat grows in full to part sun and prefers well-draining, rocky, acidic soil. It is drought-adapted, and an important pollinator plant, hosting a likely total of 37 species of butterfly and moth.

Sulphur Flower Buckwheat is a rare native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in rocky areas, at elevations from 2300-7200 feet.

Serpentine Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. goodmanii) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern California.

Mt. Eddy Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. humistratum) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in northern California. It tends to grow in dry open places and rocky places, at elevations from 5600-9200 feet.

Nevada Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. nevadense) is a abundant native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in rocky areas, at elevations from 4900-10500 feet.

Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum) is a abundant native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in rocky areas, at elevations from 700-9800 feet.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden. Introduced by Bart O'Brien.

Eriogonum ursinum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common names Bear Valley buckwheat and talus buckwheat. It is endemic to northern California where it is found on mountains from the northern Sierra Nevada to the southern Klamath Mountains. This is an uncommon perennial herb growing mats of leaves from a woody caudex, spreading to 60 centimeters wide at the base and growing erect flower clusters up to 40 centimeters high. The leaves are pale green to yellowish, woolly, and up to about two centimeters long. The compound flower cluster is made up of clusters of pale yellow to pale pink flowers atop long, naked stems.

Eriogonum vimineum is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common name wickerstem buckwheat. It is native to the northwestern United States where it is common to abundant in many types of habitat. It is a slender annual herb producing flowering stems up to about 30 centimeters tall surrounded at the bases by rosettes of rounded to oval leaves. The flower cluster is a wide open array of branches lined with clusters of pink to yellowish or white flowers striped with darker midribs.

Eriogonum wrightii is a species of wild buckwheat known by the common names bastardsage and Wright's buckwheat. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in many plant communities in rocky habitats from mountains to deserts. It is quite variable in appearance; it may be a small perennial herb 10 centimeters tall or a bushy shrub over a meter wide. There are several varieties as well. In general it has basal leaves as well as a few leaves along the stem, which are usually narrow and woolly. The flower cluster has long, straight branches which may be hairless to woolly and have flower clusters and sometimes small leaves at the nodes. The flowers are usually white to light pink.

Wright's Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii var. subscaposum) is a native perennial herb or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry gravel or rocks, at elevations from 700-11200 feet.

Wright's Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii var. trachygonum) is a native perennial herb or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry gravel or rocks, at elevations from 200-11500 feet.

Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) is a flowering plant in the daisy family that is highly variable and can be an annual, a perennial or a small shrub.  Golden yarrow is part of a number of plant communities, including chaparral, coastal sage shrub, and southern oak woodland.

 It grows in large clumps of many erect stems, often as high as 2 feet high and 2 feet wide. It has lacy silver foliage.  At the top of each stem is a flower cluster of up to 30 flower heads, each bright golden yellow.  The long blooming season from winter to summer makes this plant welcome in the garden. Cutting the dead flower heads extends the bloom.

IT is not to be confused with Yellow Achillea which is a European import. Golden yarrow is very attractive to pollinators, especially butterflies.

Golden yarrow is a fast growing plant that takes full sun and well-draining soil. It needs very little water, a maximum of two times per month in summer once established.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden and introduced by suncrest Nurseries.

Yellow Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in at elevations from 0-9800 feet.

Eriophyllum jepsonii is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name Jepson's woolly sunflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the Central Coast Ranges and adjacent hills from Contra Costa to Ventura Counties. It grows in dry habitat such as chaparral and oak woodland. This is a small shrub producing woolly, whitish stems 50 to 80 centimeters tall. It is lined with lobed oval leaves each a few centimeters long and coated in woolly fibers. The flower cluster produces one or more flower heads containing many hairy or bristly yellowish disc florets and 6 to 8 yellow ray florets each up to a centimeter long. The fruit is an achene tipped with a pappus of approximately 8 scales.

Common wooly sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum) is a perennial with yellow flowers looking much like true sunflowers. One flower head is borne on each flowering stalk, exhibiting great variability. There are many recognized varieties, some classified as rare.

Common wooly sunflower grows in full sun or part shade and is tolerant of a variety of soils including sand, clay and alkaline. It requires watering no more than once a month in summer.

It is deer resistant and supports many insects, hosting a likely total of 7 species of butterfly and moths.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Common Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum var. arachnoideum) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in , at elevations from 0-13100 feet.

Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum var. integrifolium) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in , at elevations from 4600-11500 feet.

Seaside Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum staechadifolium) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows primarily along the coast from Santa Barbara County northward to Oregon and on the Channel Islands. It tends to grow in dunes and coastal scrub at elevations under 300 feet. The grey-green leaves are deeply lobed and have rolled-under edges. The shape of the leaves resembles a lizard when viewed from above, hence the common name "Lizard Tail". The flower heads consisting of both ray and disk florets are yellow and showy. Drought tolerant but healthier looking with occasional summer water.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Erysimum ammophilum is a species of wallflower known by the common name coast wallflower. It is endemic to California, where it is an uncommon beach-dwelling wildflower. It is known from dunes and bluffs near Monterey Bay, the coastline of San Diego County, and parts of the Channel Islands. Erysimum ammophilum is a biennial or perennial plant varying in size from a few centimeters to over half a meter in height. It starts from a patch of long, narrow dark green leaves and produces one to several erect stems lined with similar leaves. Atop the stem is an array of bright yellow flowers, each with four rounded petals. As the stem grows the flowers drop away to leave developing fruits, which are narrow siliques 2 to 12 centimeters long sticking out from the stem. The fruits contain winged seeds.

Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum ssp. capitatum) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-13100 feet.

Western Wallflower (Erysimum argillosum) is a native perennial herb that grows in central California.

Curly Wallflower (Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and Central Coast regions. It tends to grow in cliffs, at elevations from 0-1000 feet.

Erysimum franciscanum, commonly known as the Franciscan Wallflower or San Francisco Wallflower, is a plant endemic to the northern California coast, from Sonoma to Santa Cruz County. It is a member of the wallflower genus in the mustard family, the Brassicaceae. The plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial. The flowers are cream-colored, with four sepals and four petals arranged in a cross shape, as is characteristic of the Brassicaceae. It is usually reported to flower from February to April, but can be seen in flower as early as January and as late as June, depending on the site. The plant is delicate-looking; it prefers open scrubby areas with a fair amount of sunlight, but can flourish on a range of soils including disintegrating serpentine, gravelly and sandy soils. It is fairly easily cultivated in gardens.

Erysimum menziesii is a species of wallflower known by the common name Menzies' wallflower. This rare plant is endemic to California. It is found only in the declining beach sand dune habitat in three areas on California coastline, in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Monterey Counties. It is listed as an endangered species on the California state and federal levels. There are three to four subspecies depending on the authority, and each is rare. Erysimum menziesii is a mustardlike biennial or perennial herb which is short in size, reaching maximum heights of usually not more than 15 centimeters. The leaves are long and straight along the stem, and often thicker, hairier, and lobed in shape at the base. The top of the stem is occupied by a thick bunch of flowers with bright yellow, rounded petals. The flowers fall away to leave behind the fruits, which are very long siliques sticking straight out. The plant can vary in appearance, particularly across subspecies. At least one subspecies is pollinated by the similarly distressed bee Emphoropsis miserabilis. The plant has high fecundity, but very low seedling survivorship, with over 98% of seedlings perishing within the first year. At least one subspecies is commonly infected with the white rust fungus Albugo canadensis.

Suffrutescent Wallflower (Erysimum insulare ssp. suffrutescens) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the Central Coast and South Coast regions. It tends to grow in dunes and bluffs, at elevations from 0-500 feet.

Scarlet monkeyflower is a herbacious perennial in the lopseed family. It is an attractive plant which bears red or orange-red flowers and toothed, downy leaves. It is native to the southwestern United States and Baja California. It is typically found in wetlands or moist areas. It can take full sun but seems to do better with part shade. It is sometimes used as a garden plant for its blooms, which attract hummingbirds. It is a fairly large, spreading, attractive plant which bears strongly reflexed, nectar-rich red or orange-red flowers and toothed, downy leaves. It is native to the West Coast and Southwestern United States and Baja California, and is generally found at low elevation in moist areas. Occasional populations of yellow-flowered Erythranthe cardinalis (which lack anthocyanin pigments in their corollas) are found in the wild.

Erythranthe cardinalis is cultivated in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant for traditional gardens; natural landscape, native plant, and habitat gardens; and various types of municipal, commercial, and agency sustainable landscape projects. Cultivars come in a range of colors between yellow and red, including the "Santa Cruz Island Gold" variety, originally collected from Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Erythranthe dentata is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name coastal monkeyflower. It is native to the western coast of North America from British Columbia to northern California, where it grows in moist habitat. It is a hairy rhizomatous perennial herb producing an upright stem up to about 40 centimeters tall. The veined oval leaves are up to about 7 centimeters long and oppositely arranged about the stem. The tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a ribbed calyx of sepals with pointed lobes at its mouth. The funnel-shaped yellow corolla is up to 4 centimeters long with a wide mouth divided into two lobes on the upper lip and three on the lower. It is a hairy rhizomatous perennial herb producing an upright stem up to about 40 centimeters tall. The veined oval leaves are up to about 7 centimeters long and oppositely arranged about the stem. The tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a ribbed calyx of sepals with pointed lobes at its mouth. The funnel-shaped yellow corolla is up to 4 centimeters long with a wide mouth divided into two lobes on the upper lip and three on the lower.

Seep Monkey Flower (Erythranthe guttata syn. Mimulus guttatus) is a perennial wildflower in the Lopseed family (Phrymaceae). As the name suggests, it grows in moist stream banks and seeps. Often it will grow with its roots submerged, and the light green foliage and yellow flowers will float on the surface of the water. Its spreading root systems make it one of the best plants for filtering water in aquatic gardens, and its abundant yellow snapdragon-shaped flowers add spectacular color to a pond in winter and spring. Note that because it aggressively spreads and copiously self seeds, it may need to be periodically pulled or cut back to prevent it from crowding out other plants.

Seep Monkey Flower attracts bees, butterflies and moths. Useful in naturally wet landscapes, such as a moist alpine meadow, along any sort of waterway, and in serpentine soils.

Erythranthe lewisii (Lewis' Monkeyflower or Great Purple Monkeyflower) is a perennial herb in the Phrymaceae (Lopseed) family. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist habitat such as streambanks at elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 ft. In California it is found primarily in the Sierras. It is named in honor of Meriwether Lewis. This is a mountain species that requires higher elevations, snow in winter, cool temperatures in summer, and plenty of water. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. This would be a nice plant if your garden is in Mammoth Lakes or Truckee.

This plant is a hybrid of Erythranthe cardinalis and Erythranthe lewisii. It is sometimes available in nurseries. It is not listed in Jepson eFlora, Calflora or Calphotos.

Primrose Monkeyflower (Erythranthe linearifolia) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Klamath Mountain Range region. It tends to grow in wet meadows, seeps and streamsides, at elevations from 2000-7200 feet.

Erythranthe moschata is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name muskflower. It is native to California and found in other areas of western North America, where it grows in moist, partially shaded habitat in mountains, woodlands, and other areas. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb which is hairless to hairy, sometimes slimy in texture, and generally musky in scent. It is variable in appearance. The prostrate or upright stem grows up to 12 inches long. The oppositely arranged leaves are mostly oval in shape and may reach 2.5 inches long. The tubular flower is yellow in color, its tube just a few millimeters wide and widening at the lobed mouth. It may be up to about 1 inch long.

Erythranthe parishii is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name Parish's monkeyflower. It is native to the mountains and hills of the southern half of California, far western Nevada, and northern Baja California, where it grows in wet, sandy habitat such as streambanks. It is an annual herb growing 3 to over centimeters in maximum height with a stout, hairy stem. The oppositely arranged oval or widely lance-shaped leaves are up to 7.5 centimeters long. The narrow, tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a ribbed calyx of sepals with pointed lobes. The five-lobed flower is white, often tinged with pink.

Erythranthe primuloides is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name primrose monkeyflower. In California, it is found primarily in the north and in the Sierras, where it grows in wet habitat in mountains and plateau areas, such as streambanks. It is a perennial herb growing in low patches or mosslike mats and spreading via rhizome and stolon. The stem is no more than about 5 inches long. The oppositely arranged leaves are variable in shape, variable in color from green to purple-green, shaggy-hairy to hairless, and up to 2 inches long. The flower arises on an erect pedicel. The tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a hairless calyx of sepals. The bright yellow flower is up to 3/4 inches long. It is divided into an upper lip with two lobes and a lower lip with three. Each of the three lower lobes are usually dotted with red.

Erythranthe tilingii is a species of monkeyflower known by the common name Tiling's monkeyflower. It is native to much of western North America, from Alaska to California to New Mexico, where it grows in moist and wet habitat, such as streambanks and mountain meadows. This plant is often nearly impossible to distinguish from its common relative, Mimulus guttatus, as their characteristics can intergrade. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing 2 to 35 centimeters tall. The oppositely arranged oval leaves may be several centimeters long and some are borne on short petioles. The yellow flower may be over 4 centimeters long, its narrow tubular throat opening into a wide, two-lipped mouth. The base of the flower tube is encapsulated in a calyx of sepals with uneven lobes.

Erythronium klamathense is a rare species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Klamath fawn lily. It is native to northern California and southern Oregon, where it grows in the Klamath Mountains and the southernmost peaks of the Cascade Range. It is a perennial wildflower growing from a bulb and producing generally two wavy-edged, narrow leaves up to 17 centimeters long. The flower cluster arises on an erect stalk up to 20 centimeters tall, with one to three flowers per stalk. The flower has petals 2 or 3 centimeters long which are white with yellow bases, turning pinkish with age. The long, protruding stamens have large pale yellow anthers.

Erythronium pluriflorum is a species of rare flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common names manyflower fawn lily and Shuteye Peak fawn lily. It is endemic to Madera County, California, where it grows in isolated populations along the San Joaquin River and its tributaries in the Sierra Nevada. One of its common names refers to Shuteye Peak, one of very few places it exists. The plant was not described until 1990. This wildflower grows from a bulb 4 to 7 centimeters wide and produces two oval-shaped green leaves. It erects thin, naked stalks which may be 8 to over 30 centimeters tall, each stalk bearing one to ten flowers. The flower has bright yellow curly petals each one to three centimeters long which age to a brown or orange color. The other flower parts are also yellow.

Erythronium purpurascens is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common names purple fawn lily and Sierra Nevada fawn lily. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the high mountains of the southern Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada. This mountain wildflower grows from a bulb 2 to 4 centimeters long and produces two narrow green leaves up to 15 centimeters in length. The erect stalks reach a maximum of 20 centimeters tall and each bears one to six flowers. The flower has white petals with yellow bases which turn purple with age. Each tepal is only one or two centimeters long and curls back. The stamens and their large anthers and the style are yellow. The flowers bloom as the last snow is melting, which might not be until summer.

Erythronium tuolumnense is a species of flowering plant in the lily family which is known by the common name Tuolumne fawn lily. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada foothills of Tuolumne County, California. This wildflower grows from a bulb 5 to 10 centimeters wide, sometimes with associated bulblets. It produces two small, green leaves and a reddish stalk up to 35 centimeters tall which bears one to five flowers. The flower has bright yellow petals, a white style and white stamens tipped with large yellow anthers. This is an uncommon plant which is threatened by human activity such as logging in its small native range.

Eschscholzia caespitosa is a species in the Papaveraceae (Poppy) family known by the common names Tufted Poppy and Foothill poppy. It is native to western North America from Oregon to Baja California where it is a member of the chaparral plant community. In California it is found primarily in the central Coast Ranges, the Sierra foothills, and the Transverse Range. This is an annual herb which is quite similar in appearance to its relative, the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica). It produces patches of foliage made up of several leaflets per leaf and thin, erect stems up to 30 centimeters in height. The poppy flower has orange to yellow petals each one to two and a half centimeters long. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule 4 to 8 centimeters long containing tiny dark netted seeds. Because it is an annual, it is best used in a meadow-like setting with other annuals (see below).

The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is the state flower of California. Every garden can find a place for this easy, cheerful annual. It self-seeds freely and will give your whole neighborhood poppies, but is not particularly invasive. 

The plant grows in full sun but will tolerate part shade. It reaches one to two foot tall and can be perennial in milder areas. The feathery foliage is blue-green The flowers range from yellow to bright orange, appearing from February to September, though primarily in spring. The petals may remain closed in cloudy weather. The fruit is a slender capsule which splits to release numerous small black or dark brown seeds. The seeds are ready to take when the pods become dry and brown. Birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators are attracted to this plant. Rabbits may browse the leaves but it is deer resistant.

It is best introduced into the garden from seed sown in fall at the start of the rainy season. Do not cover the seeds with soil or mulch. California poppies like fast draining soil and plenty of sunshine but are very hardy and will also thrive in poor soil conditions, such as clay. If planting from seedlings, be careful with the long sensitive roots and water occasionally until established.

A nursery cultivated California Poppy. Pale butter-yellow blooms tip lovely gray-green finely cut foliage. A self-sower that would be dearly missed if it didn't reappear every spring, choosing edges of paths and gravelly well-drained spots.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Champagne California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica 'Champagne') is an annual or perennial with ruffled semi-double flower cups in shades of apricot peach and pink that fade to a creamy champagne hue. Its grey-green ferny foliage complements these colors. This member of the Papaveraceae or poppy family grows widely in grassland across California, and in Oregon and Baja California. 

California poppies are easy to grow from seed. They can prosper in poor soil and with little water. To maintain as a perennial, avoid watering once leaves begin to dry out. Cut back dead growth to the ground once you see a flush of new growth. The plants will self-sow if they are left in place.

California poppies are deer resistant and attract pollinators.

Cherry Swirl California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica 'Cherry Swirl') is a poppy cultivar with semi to fully double, bright red blooms with contrasting golden eyes. The papery petals stand up to all types of summer weather, blooming throughout the season above attractive ferny foliage. 

California Poppy grows in full sun but will tolerate part shade. It reaches one to two foot tall and can be perennial in milder areas.  It self-seeds freely but is not particularly invasive. It is best introduced into the garden from seed sown in fall at the start of the rainy season. Do not cover the seeds with soil or mulch. California poppies like fast draining soil and plenty of sunshine but are very hardy and will also thrive in poor soil conditions, such as clay. If planting from seedlings, be careful with the long sensitive roots and water occasionally until established.

Birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators are attracted to this plant. Rabbits may browse the leaves but it is deer resistant.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Selected for the garden.