Woolly Beachheather
Hudsonia tomentosa
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Christopher F. Miller, USDA NRCS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cistaceae
- Genus:
- Hudsonia
- Species:
- Hudsonia tomentosa
- USDA Symbol:
- HUTO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 20 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Found in fire-maintained sand barrens and dune communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal dunes and sandy barrens
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Germination can be erratic and rates are often low.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 60 days of cold wet stratification
Establishment: The plant is a low bushy shrub found on eastern coastal sands and sandy sites of the Great Lakes region. Propagules were collected in the Yosemite National Park.
Source: npn.rngr.net