More Information
| Botanical Name |
Lotus corniculatus |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
14 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
30 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/4 in. |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
6-12 in. (15-30 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
9-12 in. (22-30 cm) |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Danger |
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested |
| Bloom Color |
Bright Yellow |
| Bloom Time |
Late Spring/Early Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Spring, Mid-Summer |
| Foliage |
Herbaceous |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Propagation Methods |
From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds |
This resilient wildflower is used as a groundcover and is a staple of most wildflower meadows. Bird’s Foot Trefoil stays green during the summer and produces small, yellow flowers. It provides consistent color all season. It makes mounds up to 2 ft., but can be mowed and still bloom. This long-lived, deep-rooted perennial forage legume is also used for pasture, hay and silage. It grows on many different soil types, from sandy loams to clays. It accepts poorly-drained, droughty, infertile, acid or mildly alkaline soils. Its large taproot and dense crown of stems make it a good erosion control plant.
