Spring Vetch - Lathyrus vernus - €8 per plant 

Spring Vetch is a non-vining perennial sweet pea, naturally clump forming to form neat little bushes in the flowerbed. The flowers are highly ornamental and attract a wide range of pollinators to the garden, especially bees. The flowers are followed by flattish pods that twist open when dry, releasing the seeds. Once established it is fairly drought tolerant, but thrives in well drained moist soil in partial shade. It's a great candidate for the outer edges of a forest garden, has potential to be effective ground cover in its optimal environment, and is an attractive border plant. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe, Northern Asia
  • native habitat: Broad-leaved woodland, forest margins, plantations and clearings
  • family: Fabaceae 

Predators

  • no experience of any pests or predators 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi Shade- Full Sun
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline  (can grow in very acid soils)
  • USDA Hardiness: 5 - 9
  • The plant can grow on clay soils
  • It can fix nitrogen

Known hazards 

  • Some reports of toxicity to horses

Overview

  • Herbaceous perennial growing to 0.5m by 0.5m at a medium rate
  • It is in flower from April - May, and the seeds ripen from June - July and are pollinated by Bees
  • It can fix Nitrogen 
  • It is noted for attracting wildlife
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • It prefers moist soil but can tolerate some dry conditions

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous perennial
  • layer :Herb layer
  • habit: Multi stemmed, clump forming
  • height x width (m): 0.5 x 0.5

Products 

  • Flowers: Early spring display of bright rose-pink flowers which bloom on stems slightly raised above the leaves. Highly attractive to bees
  • Leaves: Alternate with short stalks and large, wide stipules
  • Seeds: Flat pods twist open when dry releasing the seed​

Functions, behaviours


  • ​Foliage drys down after flowering, and the plant above ground can die back in hot summers
  • One of the first plants to flower in the spring, making it a great early source of pollen and nectar
  • Excellent, slow forming ground cover thriving in dappled shade

Polyculture Partners - The Biomass Belt 

If you would like more information about this polyculture click here  for our blog article. 


If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project