Species Bent Flowered Milk Vetch
purple-white flowers, green leaves and pink-white stems

Bent Flowered Milk Vetch

Astragalus vexilliflexus var. vexilliflexus

Bent Flowered Milk Vetch (Astragalus vexilliflexus var. vexilliflexus) is a native plant species to the American Southwest, known for its showy yellow blooms in the spring. Its flowers, which are upright and slightly curved, have bright yellow petals and purple and white sepals. The plant is much loved for its drought tolerance and ability to attract beneficial insects. It grows in rocky soils in crevices in canyons and in dry washes. It can also be used to enhance landscapes and provide erosion control in areas of high winds.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division

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

Bent Flowered Milk Vetch (Astragalus vexilliflexus var. vexilliflexus) should be watered once or twice per week, depending on the season and weather conditions. In the spring and summer, when the weather is warm and temperatures are above freezing, plants should be watered deeply, allowing moisture to reach the roots. During the fall and winter, when temperatures are colder, watering should be much less frequent; about every 10-14 days or so. When watering this plant, check the soil to ensure that it is not overly wet. Additionally, it is important to water the plant in the morning when temperatures are cooler to avoid plant stress from additional heat.

sunlight

Bent Flowered Milk Vetch (Astragalus vexilliflexus var. vexilliflexus) is a perennial plant species that does best in full sunlight. It should receive at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight throughout the day for optimal growth. In locations where sunlight is scarce, this plant can tolerate partial shade, but it will not achieve as much growth and flowering as it would when provided with more light. Additionally, during the morning, when the sun is still quite low in the sky, most of the lighting for this plant should be indirect or filtered sunlight. This will help to prevent too much burning of the leaves in the plant.

pruning

Bent Flowered Milk Vetch is an attractive, perennial forage and ornamental plant that stimulates beneficial wildlife with its display of beautiful, bent flowers. Pruning is not normally necessary as this plant is short and will not require staking or shaping. However, if the plant becomes overgrown, it is best to prune it in late winter after the plant is dormant. Trim the stems back to just above ground level to rejuvenate it and encourage new growth. Prune selectively so the plant retains its natural shape and does not become sparse. Removing any dead, damaged or old stems can help keep the plant healthy and prevent disease spread.