Eriophyllum confertiflorum
golden yarrow
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Eriophyllum confertiflorum is a low, woody-based perennial or small subshrub 12-24 in (30-60 cm) tall, with slender, branching stems covered in soft woolly hairs. The deeply divided grey-green leaves are 0.4-1.6 in (1-4 cm) long, with narrow lobes and a felted white underside that reduces water loss. From spring into summer the stems carry flat-topped clusters of small golden-yellow flower heads, each head 0.2-0.3 in (4-6 mm) across with a few short ray florets around a dense centre of disc florets. The clustered heads age to pale brown and persist on the plant as dry seed clusters. It is adapted to dry, sunny slopes and tolerates extended summer drought, dying back partly in the driest months. It grows in chaparral, coastal scrub, and open woodland of California and Baja California, on rocky, well-drained soils. The woolly foliage and compact habit suit dry gardens, though plants can grow straggly and short-lived without occasional cutting back.
Native Range
Native to California and Baja California, where it grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and dry open woodland on rocky, well-drained slopes from the coast to the lower mountains.Suggested Uses
Grown in dry, low-water gardens, rock gardens, and native plantings in California and similar climates. It supports native bees and butterflies and suits banks and slopes where its drought tolerance and woolly foliage handle heat and poor soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Eriophyllum confertiflorum grows in full sun on dry, rocky, sharply drained soils and tolerates extended drought once established. It needs little or no summer water in its native climate and rots in rich, wet, or poorly drained ground. The woolly leaves reflect heat and limit water loss, suiting hot, exposed sites. Plants are short-lived and can grow straggly, so cutting back after flowering keeps them denser. It self-sows on open ground and establishes readily from seed.Pruning
Cutting the stems back by about one-third after flowering keeps the plant compact and can prolong its life. Dead flower clusters are removed to tidy the plant and limit self-seeding. No other routine pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons