Eriophyllum: Oregon Sunshine
Eriophyllum lanatum is an easy-going native perennial, bothered by almost nothing except too much water. Want something for that sunny spot beyond the reach of your irrigation? This might be just what you need.
Plant care & info
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Eriophyllum
Common Name: Oregon Sunshine, Wooly Sunflower
Semi-desert and other rocky, arid places at low and mid-altitude locations throughout western North America.
Clumps of green, deeply lobed leaves are covered with fine white hairs, giving the foliage a soft, grayed appearance that sets off the bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear in spring and continue well into summer. Plants grow 4-24″ tall, depending on conditions. Attractive to several species of butterflies.
This plant thrives in full sun to light shade, and very well-drained rocky/sandy/dry soil. Drought-tolerant, will accept some summer water only if drainage is excellent. Can be propagated easily from seed gathered in the fall.
Eriophyllum is considered disease-resistant. Its leaves sometimes experience damage from insects, but not very common.
A highly variable plant, depending largely on growing conditions, it can range from four to twenty-four inches in height, in a garden setting typically reaching somewhere in the middle. Delicately and deeply lobed leaves are a grayish green, all the more ‘wooly’ in appearance due to their covering by soft white hairs.
This grayish hue is the perfect foil for the dazzlingly bright yellow of the daisy-like flowers–in the same way that an overcast day highlights the colors in the garden–which freely cover the plant in a long bloom time, generally May into July. These bright and cheery flowers attract numerous species of beneficial insects and butterflies.
This is one plant that Willamette Valley gardeners could easily kill with kindness. It’s at home in dry, rocky conditions; drought tolerant in a big way once established, it is best to think of this plant in a rock garden, trough, or in that almost-nothing-will-grow-there parking strip.
Find Natives for your garden
We offer a great selection of Northwest Natives from spring through fall. The plants featured are highlighted favorites, but they do not represent ALL of the plants we carry. For a more complete list, see our Northwest Native Plant List.
