- Botanical name: Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea
- Common name: Kidney vetch
- Family: Papilionaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Red
Yellow
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Kidney vetch, Anthyllis vulneraria, is native to Britain, found on chalk and limestone grasslands, rocky outcrops and coastal habitats. It’s a pretty plant with low-growing, pea-like foliage and red or yellow flowers. Kidney vetch is a valuable wildlife plant, providing food for beetle and moth larvae, and pollen and nectar for a wide range of pollinators, particularly bumblebees. It’s the sole larval foodplant of the small blue butterfly.
Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea is a particularly striking variety, bearing bright red flowers. It’s perfect for growing in a gravel garden or dry sunny border. For best results grow Anthyllis vulneraria var. coccinea in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil.
How to grow Anthyllis vulneraria
-
Plant size
60cm height
80cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Anthyllis vulneraria and wildlife
Anthyllis vulneraria is known for attracting bees, birds and butterflies/moths. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Anthyllis vulneraria poisonous?
Anthyllis vulneraria has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
