Astragalus nuttallii

Common Names

Nuttall's Milkvetch, Ocean Bluff Milkvetch

Summary

Nuttall's milkvetch is native to California and Baja California, growing on coastal bluffs and the coastal strand. It is an evergreen perennial forming dense mats, bushy, or mounded to erect clumps with green to gray-green foliage; leaves are pinnately divided into 21–43 leaflets. A large, dense inflorescence of dull cream-colored to white flowers (10–15 mm) appears, sometimes with a purple tint, followed by sessile, bladdery inflated pods up to 6 cm long.

Grows in sandy coastal soils with good drainage and tolerates saline coastal conditions; prefers pH 5.0–7.0 and receives 40–100 cm of rainfall; hardy in USDA zones 9–10. For establishment, keep soil moist to establish, then drought-tolerant; water during prolonged dry spells. In landscapes, serves as a small-scale groundcover or border in coastal settings and is valued for its ornamental habit and for attracting pollinators and birds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

8 inches-3.5 feet

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-10

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade (6–8 hours daily).

Soil Type

Well-draining sandy or loamy soil; pH 6.0–7.5.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained sandy soils

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

Dull cream-colored, sometimes purple-tinted.

Bloom Time

Year-round

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies