This variety is particularly well-suited to troughs, crevice gardens, and the leaner pockets of the rock garden, where its compact habit can be appreciated up close. Unlike more vigorous forms of Eriogonum umbellatum, var. porteri remains contained and deliberate, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces or for pairing with other choice alpines. It thrives in full sun and demands excellent drainage, responding best to sharply mineral soils that echo the rocky slopes and ridges from which it hails.
Hardiness is rarely in question; this is a plant accustomed to extremes of heat and cold, and it carries that resilience into cultivation. Winter wet, however, can prove detrimental, particularly in heavier soils, and careful siting is essential in wetter climates. Once established, it is notably drought tolerant, requiring little in the way of supplemental water and none at all in terms of feeding.
In cultivation, success lies in resisting the urge to improve conditions. Poor soil, ample sun, and a certain degree of neglect will yield the best results, allowing Eriogonum umbellatum var. porteri to develop into a long-lived and characterful presence. My original plant came from the wonderful nursery and garden of the late Kathy Allen.
This variety is particularly well-suited to troughs, crevice gardens, and the leaner pockets of the rock garden, where its compact habit can be appreciated up close. Unlike more vigorous forms of Eriogonum umbellatum, var. porteri remains contained and deliberate, making it an excellent choice for smaller spaces or for pairing with other choice alpines. It thrives in full sun and demands excellent drainage, responding best to sharply mineral soils that echo the rocky slopes and ridges from which it hails.
Hardiness is rarely in question; this is a plant accustomed to extremes of heat and cold, and it carries that resilience into cultivation. Winter wet, however, can prove detrimental, particularly in heavier soils, and careful siting is essential in wetter climates. Once established, it is notably drought tolerant, requiring little in the way of supplemental water and none at all in terms of feeding.
In cultivation, success lies in resisting the urge to improve conditions. Poor soil, ample sun, and a certain degree of neglect will yield the best results, allowing Eriogonum umbellatum var. porteri to develop into a long-lived and characterful presence. My original plant came from the wonderful nursery and garden of the late Kathy Allen.
