Buckwheat

Now that many plants are slowly going dormant, much of the native patch looks drab in shades of tan.

But just look at the buckwheat.

From left to right in the photo red buckwheat Eriogonum grande var. rubescens, nude buckwheat Eriogonum nudum, Ella Nelson's Yellow Eriogonum nudum ‘Ella Nelson’s Yellow', seacliff buckwheat Eriogonum parvifolium.

The large hedge behind, filling more than a quarter of the photo, is Ray Hartman ceanothus. To the very right, the bright speck of yellow is a California Delta sunflower.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Plant buckwheat for your pollinators. Buckwheat requires almost zero maintenance, except for occasional water for the red buckwheat. The buckwheat patch is always abuzz with activity throughout the day.

Honey bee approaching the naked buckwheat, which slowly turns to a beautiful orange rust color as it gradually goes dormant for the year. This buckwheat has been blooming since late spring.

A Yellow-faced bumble bee Bombus vosnesenskii climbing a seacliff buckwheat flowerhead.