Species two-grooved milkvetch Guide
Red stalks with purple-pink flowers and green leaves.

two-grooved milkvetch

Astragalus bisulcatus

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 6

Flowers:

Reddish-purple Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Two-grooved milkvetch (Astragalus bisulcatus) grows best with infrequent watering, but deep watering. Water the plants every 1-2 weeks, or when the soil becomes dry at a depth of 3-4 inches. Water deeply, so that the water reaches the deeper roots. Reduce water application when the plant is dormant, when temperatures are cooler. Make sure that the soil is allowed to dry between watering for best health.

sunlight

Two-grooved milkvetch (Astragalus bisulcatus) is best grown in full sun, but can also tolerate some light shade. It prefers long days of sunlight from mid-spring to mid-fall. Aim for 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily. During the summer months, it can benefit from midday shade. Proper sunlight is essential to ensure healthy growth and blooms in this plant species.

pruning

Two-grooved milkvetch (Astragalus bisulcatus) should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter or early spring and again in late summer. In late winter or early spring, prune it back by 25 to 50 percent of the previous year’s growth. This will help encourage the plant to produce a more compact, bushier shape. In late summer, prune off any damaged or dead stems, but keep the pruning to a minimum, as this pushes the plant into more vegetative growth, reducing flower production. After each pruning, clean up dropped stems and leave them in place around the plant to provide shelter through winter.