Hedysarum boreale

Common Names

Utah Sweetvetch, Boreal Sweetvetch, Northern Sweetvetch, Northern Hedysarum

Summary

Northern sweetvetch is a perennial legume native to northern North America that forms an herb with a deep taproot and a woody base, growing about 12–30 inches tall and spreading modestly; leaves are alternate and odd-pinnate with 7–15 leaflets (0.4–0.8 inches long); racemes from leaf axils bear purple-red to pink, sometimes white, flowers with keel longer than wings, blooming May–July and offering nectar to native bees, bumblebees, and butterflies.

It grows in full sun to partial shade on well-drained loams, clays, or sands; drought-tolerant after establishment and hardy to USDA zone 3; nitrogen-fixing with a deep taproot, contributing to soil stabilization and erosion control; used in restoration and rangeland seed mixes and cultivable in ordinary garden soil in sunny positions; propagation by seed (scarification speeds germination); edible young roots with licorice-like flavor and non-toxic among legumes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches tall

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade

Soil Type

Deep, well-drained loamy or sandy loam soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

6.0-8.6

Bloom Color

Pink, purple, and white

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green to gray-green, slightly bluish-green

Fall Foliage Color

Gray-green to Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate growth rate.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds