About
A deciduous sub-shrub to 60cm tall, with a spreading or upright habit, often stem-rooting and softly spiny, bearing hairy, toothed palmate leaves composed of leaflets, and open leafy racemes of pea-like pink or purplish-pink flowers to 2cm long, produced through summer.
About the genus
A large genus of around 88 annual and perennial herbs and shrubs with hairy, toothed green trifoliate foliage and showy pink or yellow flowers. They are mainly found on wasteland, in wildflower meadows and are suited to alpine or rock gardens
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in a warm sunny position
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood) in early summer; may be short-lived so propagate regularly
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite in a greenhouse or conservatory
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free