Flattop Buckwheat

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 1-3 feet
Spread: 2-4 feet
Flower Color: white to pink
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Flattop Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) - A Drought-Tolerant Native Shrub with Ecological Benefits

The Flattop Buckwheat, scientifically known as Eriogonum fasciculatum, is a robust and drought-resistant native shrub well-suited for xeriscaping, wildlife gardens, and native plant landscaping. Known for its resilience and ecological value, this shrub is a valuable choice for dry landscapes and sustainable gardens.

Key Features of Flattop Buckwheat

• Compact Growth: Grows to about 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide, forming a dense, rounded mound of green foliage, often with a silvery or grayish tint.
• Delicate Flower Clusters: From late spring to fall, it produces flat-topped clusters of tiny white to pink flowers that form a frothy display, adding visual appeal and attracting a variety of pollinators.
• Hardy Foliage: The leaves are small, narrow, and leathery, providing texture and contrast in landscapes and making it well-suited to poor soils and dry conditions.

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, which enhances its growth and flower production.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil and is adaptable to poor, rocky soils.
• Water Requirements: Extremely drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental water, ideal for water-wise gardens.

Landscaping Uses

• Ground Cover: Creates a lush ground cover in rocky areas, borders, or open spaces, where it stabilizes soil and reduces erosion.
• Rock Gardens and Borders: Perfect for adding color and texture to rock gardens, desert beds, and borders.
• Wildlife and Pollinator Gardens: Serves as an essential nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local biodiversity.

Care and Maintenance

• Minimal Watering: Once established, requires only occasional watering in extremely dry periods.
• Low Maintenance: Very little pruning is necessary, though light trimming can encourage denser growth.

Summary

The Flattop Buckwheat is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub with remarkable ecological benefits. Its compact form, delicate flowers, and ability to support pollinators make it a top choice for sustainable landscaping. Whether used as a ground cover, in rock gardens, or as part of a native plant border, Flattop Buckwheat brings long-lasting color, texture, and wildlife appeal to arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Flattop Buckwheat

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 3-4 feet apart to allow for their bushy growth and proper air circulation
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Flattop Buckwheat is a low-maintenance shrub that requires no staking and grows with a naturally rounded shape

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session to ensure deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Flattop Buckwheat is considered established after 3-4 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure deep watering of the root zone
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour for slow, deep watering
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: Increase watering in summer to every 5-7 days, and reduce to every 3-4 weeks in winter