Species Flexile Milkvetch
light-purple flower with lime-green sepals, stems and a green bud

Flexile Milkvetch

Astragalus flexuosus

Also Known As - Slender Milk Vetch
Flexile Milkvetch (Astragalus flexuosus) is a bushy perennial plant with a spreading form. It is native to the western United States and can be found growing in rocky, open terrain. The clusters of bright yellow flowers are short and clustered, giving the plant a sprawling appearance. The leaves are fingered and gray-green in color. This plant is an important food source for wildlife, especially the pollinators they attract. It is also hardy and can survive in extreme temperatures and long dry periods. A great choice to add a bit of texture and color to a dry garden, Flexile Milkvetch is a beautiful and beneficial plant.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Flexile Milkvetch needs regular watering and should be watered regularly throughout the growing season, from late spring to mid-autumn. When watering, the soil should be kept moist, but not overwatered. To water, provide 1-2 inches of water once a week, always checking the soil to ensure it's not too dry or too drenched. In the wintertime, reduce watering to once a month and make sure that the soil around the plant is allowed to dry out between waterings. If soil is left too saturated for too long, the plant may rot.

sunlight

Flexile Milkvetch (Astragalus flexuosus) prefers full to partial sunlight. It should be grown in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunshine each day. Furthermore, it prefers the morning and early evening sunlight to be the most intense when it comes to light exposure. Since this species needs the light energy for photosynthesis, it’s best to not shade the plants too much. Partial afternoon shade can help to protect the plants from the harshest sun and high temperatures.

pruning

Flexile milkvetch (Astragalus flexuosus) should be pruned twice a year, once in late winter or early spring and once again in late summer or early autumn. Pruning in late winter/spring should focus on removing overgrown, dead, crossing, and excess vegetation in the plant. This helps to promote the growth of healthy, stronger stems which provides the plant with more resources for leaf and flower production. Pruning in late summer/early autumn should include removing any dead flowers, as well as any weak or dying branches. This will encourage stronger stems for next year's flowers. Pruning should be done carefully, taking into account the natural shape of the plant, and using proper pruning methods, such as cutting back to the comparable branch that is intact. Pruning more than twice a year is not recommended, as this can cause the plant to become weak and vulnerable to stress.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Astragalus flexuosus is typically harvested in the summer months, from June to August.