Winterfat

Krascheninnikovia lanata

This glowing high-desert shrub is a beauty. Winterfat has unique, interesting textures with its fluffy white seedheads and fuzzy leaves. Its silvery green foliage stands out in the landscape. It requires little water and it seems to grow well in just about any soil. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. It is called winterfat because it is highly valued as winter forage for livestock and wildlife such as elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. A high desert pioneer plant used for erosion control – it grows quickly and is long lived. Great addition to a rock garden or even a moon garden.

Plant Details

Native Range: Native to CO, UT, the intermountain west, the great basin, southern and western CA
Height: 1-3′
Spacing: 1-3′
Water Needs: Low
Soil: Clay, Rocky, Sandy
Sunlight: Full sun
Bloom Time: May-November, inconspicuous
USDA Zone: 3-8
Life Cycle: Perennial

Shipping

Pick up, shipping, and delivery options available. We can ship anywhere in the contiguous U.S. except Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming due to state regulations regarding agricultural imports.

Image Credit:

Krascheninnikovia lanata 2.jpg | Stan Shebs | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Krascheninnikovia lanata (5123672799).jpg | Matt Lavin | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

Krascheninnikovia lanata leaves-03-25-05.jpg | Thayne Tuason | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0