Astragalus cicer

RHS Plant Profile
chickpea milk vetch

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Astragalus cicer?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
chickpea milk vetch RHS
chickpea milk vetch RHS
Herbaceous Perennial

A spreading to semi-erect rhizomatous perennial, 60-100cm tall, with pinnate leaves of 17-31 leaflets. White to pale yellow flowers are produced in early summer and are followed by strongly-inflated seed pods covered with hairs

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Astragalus can be annuals or perennials, with usually pinnate leaves and pink, purple, yellow or white pea-flowers in terminal or axillary racemes or spikes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grown in well-drained soil in full sun. Dislikes strongly acidic soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Trim back in the autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to root, crown and stem rots