Astragalus subuliformis

Common Names

Астрагал Шиловидный, Астрагал Шилоподобный

Summary

This perennial subshrub native to Crimea with European and Caucasian distributions grows to about 5–10 cm tall, has above-ground, partly woody stems, and is densely covered with two-ended hairs; leaves are 3–6 cm long with 5–7 pairs of narrowly linear, threadlike leaflets, with undersides hairy and tops smooth; inflorescences are 2–5 cm long bearing 3–6 flowers, a tubular calyx 8–10 mm long densely hairy with awl-shaped teeth, and flowers ranging from purple or violet to pale yellow or white; pods are cylindrical 1.8–2.7 cm long and flowering occurs May–July, while its habitat includes rocky calcareous slopes and steppes and it is xerophilous and light-loving.

Under cultivation, full sun on well-drained soil is preferred, with potential for open-ground growth or alpine greenhouse settings; spring sowing after scarification yields germination in 1–3 months at 10–13 °C, and cuttings can be taken in late summer; the plant’s compact size and colorful flowers provide ornamental value in sunny, drought-tolerant plantings and similar landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-10 inches

Spread

2-4 inches

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Deep, well-drained, rocky limestone soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Bloom Color

White, Yellowish

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Yellowish, gray-blue (with a waxy bloom)

Fall Foliage Color

Yellowish

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds (spring sowing after scarification; germination 1–3 months; 10–13°C) and Cuttings (end of summer)