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Wyethia mollis

woolly mule's ears

Asteraceae

Western United States (Sierra Nevada, Great Basin)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–7

Overview

Wyethia mollis is a clump-forming perennial in the sunflower family that grows from a thick woody taproot. It reaches 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and forms a basal cluster of large, oval leaves 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) long. Young foliage is densely coated with white woolly hairs that give the plant a silvery-gray cast; the hairs thin as the leaves age, leaving them grayish-green. Each flowering stem carries one to several yellow heads 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, each with 8-21 ray florets surrounding a yellow central disk, in the form of a typical sunflower. Flowering occurs from late spring into summer as mountain snow recedes. The plant grows on dry slopes, montane meadows, sagebrush flats, and open conifer forest at elevations of about 4,000-10,000 feet (1,200-3,000 m). It spreads slowly to form colonies and dies back to the root each year, with stems and leaves withering by late summer as the soil dries. It is adapted to a short mountain growing season and does not perform in hot, humid lowland climates.

Native Range

Wyethia mollis is native to the mountains of the western United States, including the Sierra Nevada, southern Cascades, and Great Basin ranges of California, Nevada, and Oregon. It grows at montane to subalpine elevations.

Suggested Uses

Wyethia mollis is used in native plant gardens, rock gardens, and meadow restorations within its mountain range. Its woolly silver foliage and yellow heads suit dry, sunny slopes. Its flowers are visited by native bees and other pollinating insects.

How to Identify

Look for large oval basal leaves 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) long covered, especially when young, in dense white woolly hairs. Yellow sunflower-like heads 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across sit one to several per stem above the foliage. The woolly gray foliage and montane habitat separate it from the smoother-leaved W. angustifolia.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Yellow flower heads open from late spring into summer (May-July), timed to snowmelt and varying with elevation. Each plant blooms for several weeks. Seeds ripen by late summer, and the foliage withers as mountain soils dry out.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

silvery-gray when young, aging grayish-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years from seed

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Wyethia mollis grows in full sun and sharply drained, gritty or rocky soils, reflecting its dry montane origins. It is drought tolerant once established and relies on a deep woody taproot to survive dry summers and cold winters. It is slow to establish from seed, which usually needs cold stratification, and resents root disturbance once settled. Lean, well-drained soil suits it, while wet, warm soils in summer promote crown rot. The plant dies back to the root each year and re-emerges in spring. It is hard to transplant and is grown from seed sown where it is to remain.