trefle.io · Taken May 14, 2021 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Bitter-vetch
Lathyrus linifolius
Also known as Cairmeal, Heath pea, Bitter pea, Lathyrus montanus subsp. pyrenaicus
Native Plants · Bitter Vetch · Lathyrus · Wildflower · Climbing Plant · Perennial · Fabaceae · Pea Family · Pollinator · Woodland · European Native
Bitter-vetch is a slender, climbing perennial wildflower native to European woodlands and grasslands, growing well in part shade with average moisture. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils and needs minimal intervention once established, making it ideal for naturalistic or wildflower garden settings. Its delicate pink-purple pea flowers attract bees and butterflies from spring through early summer.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately to keep soil lightly moist; avoid waterlogging as roots are sensitive to excess moisture · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 4.5–5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Northwest European R, Norway
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
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