Species Pursh's Milk Vetch
purple flowers with brown-green buds, grey-green leaves and red stems

Pursh's Milk Vetch

Astragalus purshii

Also Known As - Woollypod Milkvetch
Pursh's Milk Vetch (Astragalus purshii) is a handsome perennial plant found in the dry open woods and meadows of western North America. With its deep yellow flowers and dark green leaves, this plant offers dramatic color in any garden. It grows in tufts, reaching heights of about 60 cm (24 inches). The deep, taproot is edible and high in protein, making it a valuable source of food for wildlife. It also carries medicinal properties to treat anti-inflammatory ailments. Plant in full sun and offer deep watering in summer for best results and flowering.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Pursh's Milk Vetch generally needs low to moderate amounts of water and should be watered whenever the soil feels dry 1 to 2 inches below the surface. The plant enjoys light, well-drained soil and can be watered weekly or bi-weekly during the growing season. In cooler months, water should be reduced. Also, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot or disease.

sunlight

Pursh's Milk Vetch prefers full sun for optimum growth. During the winter season, the plant receives between 4-5 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the summer season, when the sun is at its highest, the plant receives between 6-7 hours of direct sunlight each day and between 8-10 hours of total sunlight. In order to maintain an adequate level of photosynthesis, the plant needs at least 6 hours of direct sun to survive. The amount of sunlight should be adjusted for regions with varying intensity of sunlight; for example, more direct sun is needed in dry climates, and less direct sun in humid climates.

pruning

Pursh's Milk Vetch should be pruned in early spring, as soon as new growth starts to appear. Pruning the plant should be done lightly and selectively, removing any old, spindly, dead, or diseased stems and pruning back any overly vigorous shoots. Depending on the plant's size and growth habit, plants can be pruned by up to 1 third of their original size. If a large number of stems need to be removed, then the plant should be pruned gradually over a period of 1–2 years.