trefle.io · Taken Jun 10, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Fabaceae
Sainfoin
Onobrychis viciifolia
Also known as Onobrychis sativa var. culta, Onobrychis viciifolia f. pallidiflora, Onobrychis esponellae, Onobrychis viciifolia f. subvillosa
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Sainfoin · Legume · Wildflower · Pollinator · Meadow · Drought-Tolerant · Pink Flowers · Forage · Perennial · Bee-Friendly
Sainfoin is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial legume that thrives in well-drained, alkaline soils with full sun to partial shade. Once established it is tolerant of dry conditions and rarely needs supplemental watering, making it excellent for meadow gardens or wildlife plantings. Its bright pink flower spikes are highly attractive to bees and butterflies throughout summer.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- sandy loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8.5
- Temperature
- -25°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 6 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 18 in
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, California, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Eritrea, France, Great Britain, Greece
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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