Eriophyllum lanatum in the Landscape

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho

Scientfic Name:  Eriophyllum lanatum
Common Name:  Woolly Sunflower, Oregon Sunshine

Description:  Mounds of attractive gray-green leaves are covered with a profusion of cheery yellow daisy-like flowers in late spring or early summer. This is a widespread, complex species with numerous recognized varieties that can range in height from a few inches to 2 feet. Very tough and adaptable.

Native Habitat:  From British Columbia south into California and East to Montana, Idaho and Utah. In the Intermountain West, Wooly Sunflower occurs from low-elevation sagebrush flats to forests and exposed ridges above timberline.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  Well-drained, nutrient-poor or ordinary garden soil.

Moisture Tolerance:  Intermountain varieties are extremely drought tolerant, but also do well with supplemental water in the xeric garden.

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun.

Transplanting:  Easy.

Propagation:  Seed.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  For best appearance, deadhead in summer after blooming. Needs little or no fertilization.

Insect, disease, or other problems:  None of concern.

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Provides a spectacular burst of color in late spring or early summer lasting two to three weeks, depending on weather. Mounds of gray-green foliage are attractive when the plant is not in bloom.

Foliage:  Longish, narrow leaves are covered with tiny hairs, giving them a gray-green appearance. Leaves can be entire or pinnate.

Flower:  One to one and a half inch flower heads each with 8-13 rays, shallowly toothed at the tip. Both ray and disk flowers are yellow.

Timing:  May-June

Color:  Yellow.

Form:  Mound.

Texture:  Dense, woolly mound.

Ultimate Size:  Highly variable. Available garden varieties are about 12" 18" x 12" 18".

Rate of Growth:  Relatively rapid growth, especially with supplemental water.

Suggested Plant Partners:  Bitterbrush, Sagebrush, Davidson's PenstemoAvailability - Available at specialty nurseries.

Cultivars:  None.

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