How to Grow and Care for Balsamroots

Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a flowering perennial herb native to North America and growing within the western regions of the United States and Canada. Arrowleaf balsamroot is edible and has a bitter taste.

Found in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, cutleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza macrophylla) is a species commonly grazed by livestock and large animals. The flowers are particularly loved by horses. As a mountain species, cutleaf balsamroot is rarely found at low altitudes.

Hooker's balsamroot is a spring wildflower with a bright yellow color that remains in bloom for a relatively long time, maintaining its cheerful appearance for several days. It is attractive to native bees and is eaten by a variety of grazing animals. The plant is named Hooker's balsamroot after William Jackson Hooker, the onetime director of Kew Gardens.

California balsamroot is a robust perennial boasting large, arrow-shaped basal leaves with woolly undersides, adapted for water retention. Towering flower stalks exhibit bright yellow sunflower-like blooms, a key attractor for pollinators in its arid native habitats. Its deep taproot enables survival through long dry spells, anchoring it firmly in rocky soils.

Deltoid balsamroot is a perennial herb notable for its large, arrowhead-shaped leaves with a woolly texture. In spring, bright yellow, sunflower-like blooms rise atop sturdy stems, adding vibrant color to dry open woods and hillsides. This hardy plant thrives in well-drained soils, using its deep taproot to access water, making it resilient to the arid environments it typically inhabits.