Description

Owl’s claws grows in the interior of the western US in areas of mid- to high elevation. The populations in California appear in the Eastern Sierras and Great Basin. Native flora from these parts of the state should be considered an experimental planting out of their native range. Often, the plants simply don’t thrive, often because they require a cold winter rest. It has been encouraging to see owl’s claws grow well in pots in the nursery here in San Jose (climate zone 15). They have not gone dormant and have produced offsets, though they have not flowered. The plant is worth the effort since it has much to offer. It grows as an expanding patch of large lance-shaped leaves somewhat similar to our local wyethia species. Above these the flower stems rise, forming a dense bouquet of large yellow flowers. The pedals are narrow, and often slightly curved. This explains the plant’s common name, I believe. Try owl’s claws in bright shade or partial sun with regular water. Exposure to the cooling afternoon breeze from San Francisco Bay might not be a bad idea.