western wallflower
Erysimum capitatum
western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 9.0 of 10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 9/10
Photos
- Photo 1: "Erysimum capitatum" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "Erysimum capitatum" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Erysimum capitatum 5708" by Walter Siegmund (talk) is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: "H20140227-0470—Erysimum capitatum var angustatum—RPBG" by John Rusk is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 5: "Erysimum capitatum in sagebrush steppe on lava bedrock" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: (c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 to 12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 9/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is western wallflower good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, western wallflower is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does western wallflower get?
- It matures to about 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant western wallflower?
- Space western wallflower about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is western wallflower hardy on the Front Range?
- western wallflower is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does western wallflower need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is western wallflower native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is western wallflower a good firewise plant near the house?
- western wallflower is rated 9 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does western wallflower bloom?
- western wallflower blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
