Astragalus canadensis - Canada Milk Vetch

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    Purchase Astragalus canadensis - Canada Milk Vetch

    Astragalus canadensis - Canada Milk Vetch

    SKU: C11830

    $4.95

     

    Canada Milk Vetch produces pagoda-like towers of cream coloured flowers in mid-summer and make an interesting addition to cut flower arrangements. Growing in full sun, in well-drained soil, it is an important food source for songbirds as it holds its seed into late fall and early winter. Astragalus canadensis also attracts hummingbirds, honeybees and butterflies, including the caterpillars of the Western Tailed Blue butterfly.

    Although generally not considered poisonous, caution is advised with any member of the Astragalus genus as they are known to contain at least some level of toxic glycosides. Do not graze livestock in pastures with Canada Milk Vetch as cattle fatalities have been reported after grazing in fields containing this plant.

    Colour:
    Blooms:
    Light:
    Height:
    Soil:
    Water:
      Cream
      Mid-Summer
      Sun to Pt Shade
      2' - 4'
      Sand to Loam
      Dry to Medium
    Approx. 75 seeds per pack - 495 seeds per gram

    Attracts Butterflies, Honeybees & Songbirds!
    Makes Great Cut Flowers!

    All Wildflower Farm seeds are hardy through growing zone 3, organic and non-GMO.

    SEED GERMINATION INFO


    Indoors: Cold, moist stratification. Start at least 5 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 10 C (50 F) range. Mix the seed with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Put this in a labelled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator for one day. The next day place this in the freezer for one day. Repeat this for one week, alternating between the fridge and the freezer. After stratifying, plant seed 0.32 cm (1/8 inch) deep in pots. Keep moist but not soggy and very warm (21 C - 70 F). When seedlings are 5 cm (2 inches) tall or more, transplant into the garden spaced 30 cm (1 foot) apart.

    Outdoors: Plant seed 0.32 cm (1/8 inch) deep in a prepared seed bed in late fall so that the seed overwinters and germinates naturally in spring.

    Outdoors Alternative: In late fall through to mid-winter fill plastic pots with a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix. Plant seed 0.32 cm (1/8 inch) deep in pots and label the pots. Place them outdoors in an area where they will experience the snow and cold of winter. The seed will germinate in the pots in spring as the weather warms up. Be sure to water the pots regularly in spring and once the plants are 5 cm (2 inches) tall, transplant them into your garden.