Sainfoin - Onobrychis viciifolia - €7 per plant  
Seed Packs - 100 g (€4.5) -- 200 g (€9) -- 500 g (€14) 

Sainfoin is an erect, perennial herbaceous legume. It has deep tap-roots which are helpful in harvesting minerals from the subsoil.  It is grown for pasture, hay or silage since it is very palatable to livestock although it cannot tolerate heavy grazing. Sainfoin has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby making Sainfoin a great companion plant. It is an excellent source of nectar for honey production as well as pollen for bee food. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe, including Britain, from France south and east to Spain, Siberia, Caucasus and Iran.
  • native habitat: Chalky grasslands 
  • family: Fabaceae

Predators

  • no experience of any pests or predators 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full Sun
  • soil pH: Neutral  and basic alkaline and can grow in very alkaline soils
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Prefers moist soil

Known hazards 

  • None known

Overview


  • 10 x 12 plant bags  
  • Perennial legume growing to 1m
  • It is in flower in June to August 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • It is not self fertile
  • It can fix Nitrogen
  • Noted for attracting wildlife
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil
  • Suitable pH: Neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It cannot grow in the shade.
  • It prefers moist soil

Characteristics

  • form:  Perennial legume
  • layer: ground layer
  • habit: spreads with rhizomes
  • height  (m): 1

Products 

  • Good forage plant
  • Leaves: Produces a good bulk and makes an excellent green cover/manure. 
  • Flowers: White - pinkish blooms. Very attractive to bees.
  • Roots: The plant has an extensive root system useful for stabilizing soils and harvesting minerals from the subsoil.

Functions, behaviours

  •  A good soil conditioner for poor light soils
  • A good fast ground-cover plant for a sunny position​
  • Nitrogen fixing

Polyculture Partners - plants that should grow well with Onobrychis viciifolia ​ 

Picture

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