Carey's Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza careyana
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Carey's Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza careyana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Carey's Balsamroot as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Carey's balsamroot is a native wildflower with large, bright yellow daisy-like blooms and silvery-green foliage. This drought-tolerant perennial produces showy spring flowers on sturdy stems above a compact rosette of leaves. It thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and requires minimal water once established.
In an HOA neighborhood
Carey's Balsamroot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Appears very wild and weedy to conventional standards
- Goes completely dormant in summer leaving bare patches
- Large basal leaves can look unkempt as they age
Wildlife value
The large yellow flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial beetles during the spring blooming period. Seeds provide food for birds and small wildlife later in the season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Carey's Balsamroot need?
- Carey's Balsamroot grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Carey's Balsamroot bloom?
- Carey's Balsamroot blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Carey's Balsamroot native?
- Carey's Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza careyana) is native to OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Carey's Balsamroot toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carey's Balsamroot as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Carey's Balsamroot attract?
- Carey's Balsamroot draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
- Is Carey's Balsamroot HOA-friendly?
- Carey's Balsamroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Carey's Balsamroot? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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