About
Anthyllis vulneraria thrives in open grasslands, sandy dunes, and along coastal cliffs, often in calcareous soils. This annual or short-lived perennial can reach heights of up to 60 cm. It features sprawling stems that support pinnate leaves composed of leaflets. In summer, it produces clusters of yellow flowers accented with red tips, surrounded by bracts covered in fine, silky hairs.
About the genus
Anthyllis includes annuals, herbaceous perennials, and shrubs. The leaves can be either pinnate or palmate, and the plants produce short, compact racemes bearing small flowers that resemble those of peas.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Coastal, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in a cold frame in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free