Bird's Foot Trefoil Lotus Corniculatus is a herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia, but the plant has become naturalized in much of the United States. Bird's Foot Trefoil seeds can be started indoors or outdoors, and also known as Baby's Slippers or Bacon and Eggs, the growing Lotus Corniculatus produces small, pea-like, bright-yellow to deep orange flowers that are sometimes tinged with red. This plant is named trefoil that means three leaves because the growing from the main stems shoots have three leaflets on the end. Birdsfoot Trefoil blooms all season long attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Trefoil plant also attracts deer, turkey, and rabbit.
Bird's Foot Trefoil is most often grown as a forage crop, and this low-growing perennial is also a great groundcover. Bird's Foot Trefoil is seeded best with grasses such as timothy, smooth brome, orchard grass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass for the best possible forage production. Lotus Corniculatus seeds have to be just barely covered with soil, and once established Birds Foot tolerates compacted, infertile, and poorly-drained soils perfectly. Birds-Foot Trefoil is also drought and salt tolerant.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 6-12 Inches
Bloom Season: Spring/Summer/Fall
Environment: Full Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Average/Poor/Moist/Dry, pH 6.2-6.5 and higher
USDA Zones: 3-9
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Spring (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring/Fall
Seed Depth: 1/16 Inch
Germination Time: 14-28 Days
