Showy Tick Trefoil

Showy Tick Trefoil should be watered 1-2 times each week, depending on local soil and climate conditions. When watering, thoroughly soak the soil around the plant with approximately 1” of water each time. In hot and dry climates, the plant may require additional water during the summer months. During the winter, watering should be significantly reduced. While they’re tolerant of brief periods of drought, regular watering is essential to help the plants reach their full potential.

Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) thrives in full or partial sun, meaning it needs at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day. This plant typically blooms from mid-August to mid-September, and typically its blooming season is shorter in shady locations compared to sunny locations. Throughout the growing season, Showy Tick Trefoil will perform best with 5 or more hours of sunlight each day, and its blooms will thrive in the full midday sun. The plant can tolerate some midday shade and even light shade in the morning and evening hours.

Showy tick trefoil is a winter hardy perennial, meaning that it does not require annual pruning. The plant tends to self-prune during winter months due to frost and snow. If pruning is desired, it should be done shortly after the foliage is killed back in winter. Pruning should be done to maintain the desired size and shape of the plant and remove any dead or damaged foliage. Best practice is to prune the plant down to roughly 8-10 inches in height. Avoid cutting any branches that are smaller than 1 inch in diameter, as this may damage the plant and cause dieback.