Species Don Meadow Milk Vetch
purple-blue flowers, green leaves and stems

Don Meadow Milk Vetch

Astragalus agrestis

Also Known As - Purple Milkvetch
Don Meadow Milk Vetch (Astragalus agrestis) is a perennial herb found across Europe. It grows approximately 20-40 cm high with a shallow, woody rootstock. The stems are simple or branched and sparsely pubescent. Its leaves are small and oblong. Each plant produces a small, compact, glandular inflorescence of mostly bright yellow flowers. Don Meadow Milk Vetch is found in moist meadows and streamsides, preferring well-drained, fresh to slightly alkaline soils with high mineral content. This species is a valuable forage plant for the wild pollinators as it provides a major pollen and nectar source. An important component of biodiversity, it is beneficial to humans and other species.

Watering:

Minimum

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

part shade,filtered shade

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Green Spleenwort is a hardy and easy to maintain plant species. It does not need a lot of water and should only be watered when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. During the active growing season (April-September) you should water it once every 7-10 days. During the colder months (October-March) you should water it less frequently, about once a month or depending on the soil and air temperatures.

sunlight

Green Spleenwort is a shade-tolerant plant species that thrives best in indirect sunlight. During the summer months, the plant should receive between 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight each day. In the winter, you can reduce the amount of direct sunlight to 1-2 hours, but provide enough indirect sunlight so that the plant is still able to photosynthesize. Direct sunlight can harm the leaves of the Green Spleenwort, so it is best to avoid it entirely. However, the plant still needs the right amount of sunlight which means the correct balance of direct and indirect sunlight needs to be provided.

pruning

Green Spleenwort should be pruned in late spring or summer, after its tender new fronds have emerged. Be sure to remove any dead leaves or stem tips that have become brown or dried. Cut away any stems that have grown too tall or thin by removing them at the base. Trim away any leaves that are overcrowded or misshapen to promote better air circulation and help to maintain a dense, tidy look. Aim to remove approximately 1-third of the foliage each year, or proportionally more if growth is rapid or vigorous. It is not necessary to prune Green Spleenwort too heavily, as any frond damage or removal will impact the robustness of its growth.

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