Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Asteraceae

Genus:

Balsamorhiza

Species:

Balsamorhiza hookeri

USDA Symbol:

BAHO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, native pollinators, small mammals, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from deep taproots after fire. Common in fire-maintained sagebrush-steppe ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

gravelly, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to arid, rocky slopes and open areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with cold stratification followed by warm temperatures and adequate moisture in spring.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI