Hippocrepis comosa
horseshoe vetch
Central and southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Hippocrepis comosa is a low, mat-forming perennial legume of dry calcareous grassland, spreading 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) wide but rising only 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) high. The grey-green leaves are pinnate, divided into several small paired leaflets, growing from a woody base and trailing stems. From late spring into summer it bears rounded heads of 5-12 yellow pea-like flowers on slender stalks held above the foliage. The flowers are followed by slender pods that break into curved, horseshoe-shaped segments, the feature behind the common name. It grows on thin, lime-rich soils over chalk and limestone, in full sun, tolerating drought and poor fertility but not shade or wet, acid ground. As a legume it fixes nitrogen and is the main larval food plant of the chalkhill blue and adonis blue butterflies. The mat is too low and slow to compete in rich borders, so it suits short turf, rock gardens, and gravel. Top growth largely persists in mild winters, with fresh growth resuming in spring.
Native Range
Hippocrepis comosa is native to Europe, mainly central and southern regions, extending to North Africa and parts of western Asia. It grows on dry, calcareous grassland, chalk downs, limestone slopes, and rocky banks in full sun. It is closely tied to lime-rich soils throughout its range.Suggested Uses
Grown in rock gardens, gravel gardens, green roofs, wildflower turf, and chalk grassland plantings on alkaline soil. It works as low ground cover and supports pollinators and rare blue butterflies. Its low, slow mat makes it less suited to rich mixed borders where taller plants crowd it out.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Hippocrepis comosa grows in full sun on thin, free-draining, lime-rich soil over chalk or limestone, and tolerates drought and low fertility once established. It does not thrive in shade, rich soil, or wet, acid ground. As a legume it fixes its own nitrogen and needs no feeding. It is hardy across USDA zones 5 to 8 and needs no winter protection. It is raised from seed or division and resents root disturbance once settled. In containers it needs gritty, alkaline, free-draining compost.Pruning
No regular pruning is needed. A light trim after flowering keeps the mat tidy and can remove developing seed if self-sowing is not wanted. Old or untidy growth can be sheared back in early spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons