Utah Sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) is a native herbaceous, perennial legume with large, showy flowers lasting from late spring to early summer that are usually pink or purple, but can also be red. This plant is also an important forage plant and fixes nitrogen in the soil. This plant grows deep taproots and is extremely drought tolerant. It makes a great addition to perennial beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, and naturalized prairie and meadow plantings. It can survive in Cache Valley with no supplemental irrigation, but looks its best with in a hydrozone that waters on a low schedule.
Utah Sweetvetch
Native to Cache County: Yes
Irrigation Requirement: Low (1/2" every 10-14 days) (preferred) or Very Low (Water to Establish)
Mature Size: 12 - 24" tall and 24 - 36" wide
Spacing: 20 - 36" apart
Bloom Colors: Pink/Purple or Red
Bloom Season: May - June
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Deer Resistant: Yes
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Soils: Tolerates a wide range of soils, including sand, loam, or clay if well-drained. Grows best in loamy soils.
Plants in the Hedysarum family are host species for 8 known native pollinators in the Cache County area. Utah Sweetvech is also an important grazing forb for deer, elk, etc. and its blossoms attract a wide range of butterflies and bees.