Species Narrowleaf Milk Vetch
yellow-white flowers with lime sepals and green leaves and stems

Narrowleaf Milk Vetch

Astragalus pectinatus

Narrowleaf Milk Vetch (Astragalus pectinatus) is a perennial wildflower native to North America. It grows in dry, sandy soils and is hardy to a variety of environments. It has delicate, lyre-shaped leaves and small, yellow flowers with pointed tips. Blooms occur from May to July and are attractive to pollinators. The plant has a deep, fibrous root system that makes it drought tolerant, yet easily uprooted. In its native environment, it can serve as a beneficial cover crop for restoration projects. When harvested, its seeds can be used as a grain substitute for livestock feed or a source of protein for people in some areas.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

brown,tan Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cooper's Milkvetch thrives in well-drained, sandy to loamy soils and requires full sun. The ideal time to water Cooper's Milkvetch is in the mid-morning. The frequency of watering will depend on the climate and season. Water your plant if the top inch of soil is dry. In the summer months, it may need water 2 to 3 times per week. During the cooler, winter months, water every 10-14 days. Additionally, the area around Cooper's Milkvetch should be kept weed-free to reduce competition for water and nutrients.

sunlight

Cooper's Milkvetch is native to south-central and north-central United States, from Washington to Montana, southward to Pennsylvania, and extending westward to Texas. This plant species prefers light, well-drained soils in dry areas, so it's important to ensure that the plant is exposed to enough sunshine. The best amount of sunlight for Cooper's Milkvetch is 8-10 hours a day, ideally from morning until late afternoon. Partial shade should be avoided when possible, as too much shade may reduce the quality of the plant. Additionally, exposure to afternoon sun is especially beneficial to this species' unique flower blooms.

pruning

Cooper's Milkvetch should be pruned in late winter or early spring before the active growing season. Pruning should be done to open the shrub up to better air circulation and to prevent overcrowding of branches, which can lead to thinner foliage. Cut back stems that are too large back to the nearest lateral branch, and thin out any branches with multiple, smaller stems. When pruning, look for crossing branches and remove any dead or diseased stems and cut these back to the ground. Be sure to leave enough growth behind when pruning so that the shrub is not completely denuded of foliage. This should help to promote new growth and healthier plants.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.