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Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of cheerful yellow Oregon Sunshine flowers (Eriophyllum lanatum). One of 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum). One of 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Silvery-green foliage of Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum). One of 150+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Oregon Sunshine

Eriophyllum lanatum

Mounds of grey-green foliage, small cheery sunflowers, and drought resistance make the Oregon Sunshine a favorite for sunny rock gardens, border edges, and parking strips. It’s also a versatile pollinator plant, attracting native sweat bees, mining bees, mason bees, hover flies, tachinid flies, and butterflies, and is a nectar source for endangered Fender’s blue butterfly as well as host plant for painted lady butterflies. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous perennial herbaceous plant/ground layer
  • Size at maturity: 6-24" tall, 2' wide
  • Light requirements: full sun, but tolerates part shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil, well-drained
  • Bloom time: April - September (May - August in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growth rate, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: Attracts native sweat bees, mining bees, mason bees, hover flies, tachinid flies, and butterflies. Nectar source for endangered Fender’s blue butterfly as well as host plant for painted lady butterflies. 
  • Native habitat/range: Western North America. Portland Plant List - yes.  
  • Special features & uses: pollinator gardens, rock gardens, parking strips 

Gardening with Oregon Sunshine: Plant in sunny dry meadowscapes, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, parking strips and other perennial beds to add splashes of bright yellow flowers. Hardy and drought tolerant once established.

Photo Credit 1: "Eriophyllum lanatum var. integrifolium" by pellaea is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Photo Credits 2 - 4: Karli Del Biondo, Beetles and Bees

Photo Credit 2: "File:Eriophyllum lanatum kz01.jpg" by Kenraiz is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo Credit 3: "File:Eriophyllum lanatum closeup-6-08-04.jpg" by ThayneT is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0