PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in open, unshaded meadow conditions
Watering
Tolerates moderate drought; water deeply only when the top 5 cm of soil feels completely dry
Temperature
Extremely cold-hardy; tolerates hot summer temperatures down to -30°C in winter dormancy
Characteristics
- Leaf: Trifoliate, oval leaflets with serrated margins; emits sweet hay-like scent when crushed
- Flower: Dense, slender racemes of small white pea-like blooms
- Stem: Erect, branching, hollow green stems
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during active growth periods; reduce watering during prolonged dry spells
Fertilization
Light application of balanced organic feed once at the start of growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Composted eggshell powder：Sprinkle a thin layer around the base of plants; mix into topsoil to improve soil structure and add calcium to support stem strengthPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering throughout the growing season
- Cut back stems to ground level after the first hard frost to prepare for winter dormancy
- Thin overcrowded plants in early spring to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; contains coumarin that can cause anticoagulant-induced bleeding disorders if ingested
Humans: Ingestion of large quantities or moldy plant material may increase bleeding risk due to coumarin content
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Forage for livestock (when fresh, non-moldy); nitrogen-fixing cover crop to improve soil health
