About
Astragalus glycyphyllos is a herbaceous perennial characterized by its sprawling, low-growing form, typically reaching heights of 30 to 90 centimeters and spreading up to 1.5 meters. Its stems have a tendency to creep along the ground or ascend over surrounding plants. The foliage consists of pale green pinnate leaves, each featuring pairs of oval to oblong leaflets measuring approximately 3 to 6 centimeters in length. The leaves are slightly hairy, offering a soft texture. From June to August, the plant produces dense clusters of five-petaled, tubular flowers that are creamy-white with a hint of green, which eventually give way to elongated, inflated pods. While the flowers are not particularly fragrant, the roots possess compounds that lend a subtle liquorice-like scent, which is the origin of the common name. It is important to note that the liquorice flavor found in sweets comes from a different species entirely.
About the genus
Astragalus species can be either annual or perennial plants, characterized by typically pinnate leaves. The flowers, which resemble those of peas, may be pink, purple, yellow, or white and are borne in terminal or axillary racemes or spikes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Trailing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See Creating wildflower meadows for further advice
- Pruning
- For more information see cutting back herbaceous perennials
- Propagation
- Sow seeds in containers in an open frame in autumn or after stratification in spring. Pot up seedlings separately as soon as the first true leaf appears; they resent root distrubance later and may die. For more information see sowing seeds outdoors
- Pest resistance
- Maybe susceptible to Pea and bean weevil
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free