SHALE BARRENS BUCKWHEAT
Eriogonum allenii
SKU: 2009-005
Description
Eriogonum is a genus of flowering plants found in North America and is known as wild buckwheat.
Astoundingly beautiful, long flowering, drought-tolerant, durable species. The bright golden flowers are attractive to pollinators. Make excellent cut flowers. Plant in the rock garden, dry areas or mixed containers. It makes an excellent accent plant. It thrives in clay soils and survives some other soils. It can tolerate light freezes.
Eriogonum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). The Lycaena heteronea caterpillars only feed on this genus, sometimes just on a single taxon of Eriogonum. Wild buckwheat flowers are also an important source of food for these and other Lepidoptera. In some cases, the relationship is so close that Eriogonum and dependent Lepidoptera are in danger of coextinction.
These seeds are very rare and are in limited supply.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 5-10
Height: 40cm, 16"
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. These seeds require a period of cold. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 2 weeks. They will not grow yet. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
Description
Eriogonum is a genus of flowering plants found in North America and is known as wild buckwheat.
Astoundingly beautiful, long flowering, drought-tolerant, durable species. The bright golden flowers are attractive to pollinators. Make excellent cut flowers. Plant in the rock garden, dry areas or mixed containers. It makes an excellent accent plant. It thrives in clay soils and survives some other soils. It can tolerate light freezes.
Eriogonum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). The Lycaena heteronea caterpillars only feed on this genus, sometimes just on a single taxon of Eriogonum. Wild buckwheat flowers are also an important source of food for these and other Lepidoptera. In some cases, the relationship is so close that Eriogonum and dependent Lepidoptera are in danger of coextinction.
These seeds are very rare and are in limited supply.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 5-10
Height: 40cm, 16"
Seeds per pack: 5
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. These seeds require a period of cold. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 2 weeks. They will not grow yet. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
