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Products > Eriogonum crocatum
 
Eriogonum crocatum - Saffron Buckwheat

San Marcos Growers has permanently closed as a business. This is an archived page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Eriogonum crocatum
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Shrub
Family: Polygonaceae (Knotweeds)
Origin: California (U.S.A.)
California Native (Plant List): Yes
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloomtime: Summer/Fall
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Summer Dry: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F
Eriogonum crocatum (Saffron Buckwheat) - A compact evergreen summer dormant shrub to 1 1/2 feet tall by 2-3 feet wide with wooly silver-white leaves that contrast beautifully with its sulfur yellow to chartreuse-yellow flower heads that appear late spring through late summer and then turn a cinnamon-brown color.

Plant in full coastal sun (afternoon shade inland) in well-drained to heavier clay soils with very little or no summer watering. Hardy and evergreen to short duration temperatures down to around 20° F, but can resprout when top growth is frozen back - possibly root hardy to around 10 F. A great accent plant in the garden or even as a potted specimen.

Eriogonum crocatum is native to Ventura County where is grows along the Conejo Pass in the area where Highway 101 climbs south from the coastal plains of Camarillo where it is often found on open, dry hillsides or in pockets of soil in rock faces. It is from this location comes the alternate common name, Conejo Buckwheat. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'erion' meaning "wool" and 'gonu' meaning a "joint" or a "knee" which refers to the hairy joints of the type species, Eriogonum tomentosum and the specific epithet is the Latin word for "saffron-colored". This species was introduced into cultivation in California by Theodore Payne. 

The information displayed on this page about Eriogonum crocatum is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
We closed for regular business at the end of 2025 in order for the property to be developed for affordable housing.
Our gates remain closed but we will open them by appointment to interested parties as we liquidate remaining supplies and equipment.
 
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