Hippocrepis spp.

horseshoe vetch

Fabaceae

Europe, the Mediterranean, and western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Hippocrepis spp. is a genus of around 30 species of yellow-flowered legumes in the pea family, Fabaceae, native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and western Asia. The genus spans low, mat-forming perennials, sprawling annuals, and upright shrubs, so size ranges from a few inches to about 4 feet (10-120 cm). The leaves are pinnate, with several pairs of small leaflets, and the pea-type flowers are carried in long-stalked clusters of bright yellow. Seed pods are constricted between the seeds into curved, horseshoe-shaped segments, the feature behind the name horseshoe vetch. H. comosa forms low mats on chalk and limestone grassland and is a larval food plant for chalkhill and Adonis blue butterflies. The shrubby H. emerus, once placed in Coronilla spp., grows taller with paired yellow flowers and long, jointed pods whose seeds are purgative. As legumes, the plants fix nitrogen and grow on lean soils.

Native Range

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, western Asia, and North Africa, on dry grassland, chalk and limestone slopes, scrub, and open rocky ground. H. comosa is closely tied to calcareous turf, while shrubby species grow in Mediterranean woodland and scrub.

Suggested Uses

Used in rock gardens, dry banks, chalk grassland, and wildflower plantings, with mat-formers set 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) apart. The flowers support bees, and the foliage feeds the caterpillars of blue butterflies. Nitrogen fixation makes the plants useful on poor, free-draining soils.

How to Identify

Recognized by pinnate leaves of small paired leaflets and clusters of bright yellow pea flowers on long stalks held above the foliage. The ripe pods are the surest mark: they pinch in between the seeds into a row of curved, horseshoe-shaped joints. The mat-forming species hug the ground, while shrubby kinds stand upright with woody stems.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 4'

Width/Spread8" - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring into summer, generally May to August depending on the species. The yellow flower clusters open over many weeks. The horseshoe-jointed pods follow and ripen from green to brown.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

chalk loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

These legumes grow in full sun and free-draining soil, doing well on lean, chalky, or stony ground. They tolerate drought and low fertility, fixing their own nitrogen, and need little or no feeding. Heavy, wet, or rich soil gives lax growth and fewer flowers. Mat-forming species such as H. comosa suit rock gardens and dry banks, while shrubby kinds tolerate more open positions. Most are hardy to about USDA zone 5. Plants are raised from seed or, for the perennials, careful division.

Pruning

Mat-forming perennials need little more than removal of spent flower stems. Shrubby species are trimmed lightly after flowering to keep them shapely. Old or straggly stems are cut back in early spring before growth resumes.