Showy Locoweed

Scientific name

Oxytropis splendens

Description

The Showy Locoweed is a perennial wildflower species that can grow up to 0.5 m in height. The leaves are mostly basal, pinnately compound, silvery green coloured, lanceolate shaped, appear in whorls of 3-6 leaflets, and are covered in silky hairs. The flowers are tiny, pink to purple coloured, appear on long leafless stems in dense clusters, and bloom between June and July. The flowers are attractive to pollinator species, like bees. This plant is hardy, grows easily, and can be useful for re-vegetating steep eroded slopes.

Planting conditions

Showy Locoweed grows best in dry to normal conditions with full sun exposure. It prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil types. It is drought tolerant due to its deep taproot but young plants should be watered occasionally during hot summers. This wildflower can be naturally found in dry meadows, open forests, prairies, sandy hills, roadside ditches, and along dry shoreline slopes.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Wildflower
• Eco Zone:
  • 1b
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
• Plant type:
  • Wildflower
• Height:
  • 0.5 m
• Spread:
  • 0.5 m