Plant Details

Granite Buckwheat

Eriogonum lobbii

Also called: Lobb's Buckwheat

A charming, low-growing perennial that forms soft, woolly mats of silver-green foliage. Perfect for rock gardens or high-elevation landscapes, it features unique flower clusters on prostrate stems that seem to lay gracefully across the ground. The creamy-white to yellowish flowers often blush pink or red as they age, adding lovely late-season interest.

Flowering Winter interest Container friendly Heat tolerant Cold tolerant California native Bee friendly Butterfly friendly Deer resistant Drought tolerant Likely to reseed

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Plant Snapshot

TypeFlower | Woody | Perennial | Deciduous

Growth habitMounding | Rosette-forming | Spreading

Use categoriesGroundcover | Ornamental | Pollinator Plant

SettingOutdoor

Growth rateModerate

Mature size classSmall

Bloom colorCream, Pink, White, Yellow

Bloom seasonSummer

HardinessZones 4a-8b

Size2-6 in tall | 8-16 in wide

Life expectancyNot listed yet.

Size noteFoliage stays very low (under 6 inches), while flower stems can extend horizontally up to 8 inches.

Spacing12-18 in apart

Spacing noteGive it enough room to spread its prostrate flower stems without overlapping neighboring plants.

Growth Conditions

LightFull Sun

WaterVery Low

SoilLean | Rocky | Sandy

DrainageSharp Drainage

Leaf notesRound, paddle-shaped leaves are densely covered in white to grayish woolly hairs.

Pruning noteMinimal pruning required. You can remove spent flower stalks in late fall to tidy the plant's appearance.

Feeding noteAvoid rich fertilizers; thrives in lean, nutrient-poor soils and may suffer if over-fed.

Propagation noteBest grown from seed; difficult to transplant due to a long taproot. Cuttings may be possible but are challenging.

Seasonal Timing

Bloom timing

Summer

Produces puffy, rounded flower clusters that last into late summer.

Seasonal rest

Winter

Goes dormant during cold mountain winters.

Cautions

Pests

Root Rot

The primary threat if soil is too wet or drainage is poor.

Pet safetyNon-toxic to dogs and cats

Allergy noteNot listed yet.

Health noteNot listed yet.

Sources

Lobb's Buckwheat - USDA Forest Service
Detailed botanical and habitat information.
Eriogonum lobbii - Calscape
Information on California native range and growth.

Places that sell it

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Sales
Check local chapter plant sales for specialty alpine buckwheats.

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