Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum
Also listed as Actinella lanata, Bahia lanata
Also known as Woolly Sunflower, Woolly Eriophyllum, Oregon Sunshine
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing perennial with finely divided, silvery-green woolly foliage and cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers. It thrives in dry conditions and is excellent for rock gardens, borders, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Why grow it
Woolly sunflower offers reliable drought tolerance and extended bloom period compared to many native wildflowers, making it useful for water-conserving landscapes in western and southwestern regions. Its fine, silvery foliage provides textural contrast in mixed plantings, and it requires minimal fertilizer or amendment once established, reducing maintenance relative to conventional perennials.
Watch out for
Plants may decline in humid climates or areas with heavy summer rainfall, as the woolly foliage retains moisture and can promote fungal issues. In overly rich soil, the plant tends toward vegetative growth at the expense of flowering, so avoid soil amendment or supplemental fertilizing after establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing perennial with finely divided, silvery-green woolly foliage and cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers. It thrives in dry conditions and is excellent for rock gardens, borders, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Woolly Sunflower grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Woolly sunflower offers reliable drought tolerance and extended bloom period compared to many native wildflowers, making it useful for water-conserving landscapes in western and southwestern regions. Its fine, silvery foliage provides textural contrast in mixed plantings, and it requires minimal fertilizer or amendment once established, reducing maintenance relative to conventional perennials.
Watch out for
Plants may decline in humid climates or areas with heavy summer rainfall, as the woolly foliage retains moisture and can promote fungal issues. In overly rich soil, the plant tends toward vegetative growth at the expense of flowering, so avoid soil amendment or supplemental fertilizing after establishment.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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