Kidney Vetch is a low-growing perennial wildflower native to Europe and commonly found in grasslands, dunes, and rocky soils. It forms soft clumps of silvery foliage topped with rounded clusters of yellow (sometimes orange or red-tinged) flowers, and is well suited to dry, sunny, wildlife-friendly plantings.
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Exposure: Very tolerant of exposed conditions and wind; well suited to open sites and coastal locations (coastal tolerant).
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Size: Typically 10–30 cm tall and spreading 20–40 cm wide, forming low clumps.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soils; thrives in sandy, chalky, or rocky ground.
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Sun: Full sun.
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Flowering Time: Late spring to mid-summer (roughly May–July).
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Uses: Traditionally used in herbal medicine and also historically used as a dye plant.
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Wildlife Benefits: An important nectar plant for bees and butterflies and the larval food plant for the small blue butterfly.
