Harvesting of Woollypod Milkvetch typically begins in July and continues through August.
Woollypod Milkvetch
Astragalus purshii var. glareosus
Woollypod Milkvetch (Astragalus purshii var. glareosus) is a perennial legume with wooly seed pods in the family Fabaceae. It has complex, grey-green foliage, consisting of alternating leaflets each bearing small, reddish-brown stipules. Each silvery-pink flower cluster contains a single 5-petaled bloom followed by a smooth oval seed pod 5-10 mm in length. The species is native to western North America, from British Columbia south to California, and east to the Dakotas and Wyoming. It is found in dry, sandy prairies, in open ground, and in thin soils and grassy slopes, liking neutral to alkaline soils. Woollypod Milkvetch flowers from late spring to early summer with its namesake pods ripening in autumn.
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
Sun:
full sun,part shade
Fruits:
brown,tan Fruits Ready In
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Woollypod Milkvetch requires infrequent watering, especially during the summer months. Water the plant heavily once every 2-3 weeks until the top 2-3 inches of the soil are thoroughly wet. Once the soil is wet, reduce the frequency to 1 time per month. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot and other issues.
sunlight
Woollypod Milkvetch thrives best with several hours of full sun each day. Depending on the season, the plant can do well with at least 4 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the hottest summer months, the plant can tolerate light shade to help protect from excessive heat. In the winter, the plant should receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the morning hours when temperatures are lower, to keep it healthy.
pruning
Woollypod Milkvetch should be lightly pruned in late winter or early spring, when it begins actively growing, to remove dead or dying stems that are crossing or competing with healthy growth. This will allow more light to reach the remaining stems and stimulate new growth. Pruning should be kept to a minimum as this species has a naturally spreading, vase-shaped form. Long, arching branches should be pruned back lightly to control the size and shape of the plant. Remove no more than 20-30% of the live branches, and be careful to avoid cutting off flowering tips. Before pruning, consider the dense shrub’s natural shape and growth habit and prune only if the shrub has become overgrown or is not flowering.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit
