Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Wyethia sagittata
Formerly Balsamorhiza sagittata · also Buphthalmum sagittatum
Also known as Balsam Root
Climate Match for your location
See how well Arrowleaf Balsamroot grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A drought-tolerant perennial native to western North America with distinctive large, arrow-shaped basal leaves and cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers in spring. Excellent for dry gardens, meadows, and hillsides.
Why grow it
Arrowleaf balsamroot stands out among spring-blooming perennials for its ability to thrive in poor, shallow soils where many competitors falter. Its large basal leaves emerge early and persist through summer, providing visual structure after flowering, while the deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-resistant once established. This combination makes it particularly useful for stabilizing eroded slopes or filling dry meadow gaps where establishment of other natives can be unreliable.
Watch out for
Plants take several years to reach mature size and flower reliably, so patience is needed during establishment. The large taproot makes it sensitive to transplanting and difficult to divide, so direct seeding or purchasing young plants is preferable. In areas with adequate summer moisture, vigor can become uneven or the plant may decline, suggesting it performs best in genuinely arid settings rather than merely well-drained garden sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A drought-tolerant perennial native to western North America with distinctive large, arrow-shaped basal leaves and cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers in spring. Excellent for dry gardens, meadows, and hillsides.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Arrowleaf Balsamroot grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Arrowleaf balsamroot stands out among spring-blooming perennials for its ability to thrive in poor, shallow soils where many competitors falter. Its large basal leaves emerge early and persist through summer, providing visual structure after flowering, while the deep taproot makes it exceptionally drought-resistant once established. This combination makes it particularly useful for stabilizing eroded slopes or filling dry meadow gaps where establishment of other natives can be unreliable.
Watch out for
Plants take several years to reach mature size and flower reliably, so patience is needed during establishment. The large taproot makes it sensitive to transplanting and difficult to divide, so direct seeding or purchasing young plants is preferable. In areas with adequate summer moisture, vigor can become uneven or the plant may decline, suggesting it performs best in genuinely arid settings rather than merely well-drained garden sites.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.