Securigera varia

RHS Plant Profile

crown vetch

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Other common names

hive vine, rose vetch, rosy-flowered crown vetch

Synonyms

Coronilla varia

Herbaceous Perennial

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A strong, vigorous, low-growing, spreading rhizomatous perennial legume to around 100cm in height, with trailing stems of green, pinnate foliage. Pink-white, pea-like flowers appear in neat circles on upright stems from May through to July. May become a nuisance if grown amongst other plants in a border, but a great choice for wildflower meadows or as cover for banks and slopes. Drought resistant, nitrogen-fixing and good for controlling soil erosion. A great pollinator plant, particularly for bees and depends on these in order to produce seed

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: C & S Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows in most soils, particularly well-drained poor soils in full sun. A great plant for wildflowers meadows or for banks and slopes where coverage is required and also as a nitrogen-fixing green crop. However, it has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well amoungst other plants

Propagation

Propagate by seed or cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required but old or diseased growth can be removed in late winter to early spring and it can be cut back to control growth and encourage a bushy habit

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free