Eriogonum giganteum - St. Catherine's Lace

Eriogonum giganteum - St. Catherine's Lace

Pot Size: Quart

Native to Santa Catalina Island where is grows on dry slopes in coastal scrub, Erigonum giganteum is the largest of the "buckwheats". It grows to a woody shrub with large gray, wooly, spoon-shaped leaves and immense flat-topped clusters of  tiny white flowers which are compared to lace doilies (hence its common name) which dry beautifully.  Important food source for many species of butterflies.

Shrubby Perennial

Zones:  Sunset 9-11, can be somewhat frost tender.
Size:  1.5-4 feet tall, 5 ft wide
Light:  Full sun
Water:  Low to moderate until established, then drought tolerant
Soil:  Well drained, loose, gravelly soil. Clay tolerant if fast draining.
Bloom:  Longest bloom period of the "Buckwheats", starting in April with large clusters of tiny cream-colored flowers and keeping in bloom until Fall, when the flowers age to a rusty color.
Uses:  Borders, native gardens.
Other notes: When placing the plant consider its large size and that it is fairly brittle so it can be damaged if in the path of people and large pets. The UC Arboretum named this wild-life friendly plant one of the "All-Stars".