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By Jess Kolman

   Many hikers will recognize Sulfur buckwheat, which paints hillsides in much of our state with its bright yellow blossoms in spring. Though it is chiefly a mountain dweller, it is highly adaptable and thrives in Bay Area gardens, where it will flower into summer.

   Its oval leaves form silvery mats only a foot or so high and spreading to about 3' wide, and in winter these may take on a nice purple tone. The copious flower stalks rise only slightly above the mats and carry sunny yellow flower-balls that look like the native gardener's answer to marigolds. Sulfur buckwheat is a much tougher and less demanding plant than that old garden staple, however, and is vastly more useful to wildlife, attracting bees, butterflies and birds from miles around. 

   Paint yellow swaths in your garden with this cheery flower, or use it as a golden lining in the front of a perennial bed. It can take sun or part shade, and needs little to no summer water.