Species Robbins' Milk Vetch
purple-white flowers with pink-lime buds and light-green foliage

Robbins' Milk Vetch

Astragalus robbinsii var. minor

Also Known As - Blake's Milkvetch
Robbins' Milk Vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. minor) is an endangered perennial plant native to California. This species often grows up to 8 inches tall and has small clusters of white to pale blue-purple flowers. The flowers produce a unique fragrance that is sweet and mildly pungent. Its foliage is semi-erect and tend to be hairless. It grows in areas of open grasslands, meadows, and vernal pools. Robbins' Milk Vetch is a vital pollinator plant which provides an essential habitat for a variety of insects and birds. It is a critical part of the state's native flora and needs to be protected and restored wherever necessary.

Watering:

Minimum

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.

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