How much sun does Wyoming Besseya need?

Wyoming Besseya grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Wyoming Besseya bloom?

Wyoming Besseya blooms in May and June.

Where is Wyoming Besseya native?

Wyoming Besseya (Besseya wyomingensis) is native to CO, ID, MT, NE and 3 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Wyoming Besseya attract?

Wyoming Besseya draws bees and butterflies.

Is Wyoming Besseya HOA-friendly?

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

Wyoming Besseya

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Besseya wyomingensis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Wyoming Besseya (Besseya wyomingensis) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CO, ID, MT, NE and 3 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Wyoming Besseya.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Southern Rockies High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

Wyoming besseya is a compact native wildflower that forms low mounds of green foliage topped with spikes of small white to purple flowers in late spring. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in sunny locations and requires minimal water once established, making it excellent for water-wise gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Wyoming Besseya 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 too wild and informal for typical HOA standards
Small stature may look weedy in maintained landscapes
Unknown dormancy appearance creates uncertainty

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the May-June bloom period. This native plant supports local pollinator populations.

Common questions

How much sun does Wyoming Besseya need?: Wyoming Besseya grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Wyoming Besseya bloom?: Wyoming Besseya blooms in May and June.
Where is Wyoming Besseya native?: Wyoming Besseya (Besseya wyomingensis) is native to CO, ID, MT, NE and 3 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Wyoming Besseya attract?: Wyoming Besseya draws bees and butterflies.
Is Wyoming Besseya HOA-friendly?: Wyoming Besseya 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 World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

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

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