How much sun does Short Woollyheads need?

Short Woollyheads grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Short Woollyheads bloom?

Short Woollyheads blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Short Woollyheads native?

Short Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Short Woollyheads attract?

Short Woollyheads draws bees, beetles, and flies.

Is Short Woollyheads HOA-friendly?

Short Woollyheads takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Short Woollyheads

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Psilocarphus brevissimus

Last reviewed: June 2026

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

1"–4" H × 1"–4" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Valley Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range

Short woollyheads is a tiny annual wildflower that forms low mats of woolly, silvery foliage. This diminutive native produces small, inconspicuous flower heads from summer through early fall and thrives in dry, sunny locations with minimal care.

In an HOA neighborhood

Short Woollyheads 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.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscaping
Annual nature means gaps when plants don't return
Can appear weedy or unkempt to unfamiliar observers

Wildlife value

The small flowers attract various pollinators including native bees, beetles, and flies during its extended blooming period from June through September.

Common questions

How much sun does Short Woollyheads need?: Short Woollyheads grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Short Woollyheads bloom?: Short Woollyheads blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Short Woollyheads native?: Short Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus) is native to CA, ID, MT, NV and 4 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Short Woollyheads attract?: Short Woollyheads draws bees, beetles, and flies.
Is Short Woollyheads HOA-friendly?: Short Woollyheads 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 the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Short Woollyheads? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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