Bird’s-Foot Trefoil Seeds (Lotus corniculatus) WINTER / SUMMER

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil is a hardy perennial member of the pea family, valued for its attractive yellow flowers, low spreading habit and ability to grow in relatively low-fertility soils.

Its flowers are also useful in wildlife and pollinator-friendly gardens, while the plant is well suited to meadow-style planting and natural ground cover.

Key Features

• Botanical name: Lotus corniculatus

• Common name: Bird’s-Foot Trefoil

• Family: Fabaceae

• Attractive yellow pea-like flowers

• Low-growing spreading perennial

• Nitrogen-fixing legume

• Suitable for wildflower meadows

• Useful as natural ground cover

• Suitable for wildlife gardens

• Good nectar source for bees

• Performs well in low-nitrogen soils

• Prefers well-draining soil

• Full sun

• Hardy perennial plant

Recommended Grow Bags

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch

Suitable for growing a small group of Bird’s-Foot Trefoil plants.

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch

Recommended for a broader clump and better spreading growth.

G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch

Excellent for growing several plants together for a natural meadow-style display.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

Use:

70% Bhalu Mitti / Sandy Soil + 20% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost + 10% Cocopeat

The growing medium should be:

Loose and well-draining.

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil can perform well in relatively low-fertility soil and does not require heavy feeding.

Avoid:

• Heavy compact soil

• Poor drainage

• Continuous waterlogging

RHS recommends full sun and well-drained soil, including sandy and loamy soil types.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil seeds are small.

Sow approximately:

0.5 cm deep or cover only lightly with fine growing medium.

Seeds may be:

• Direct sown into prepared garden soil

• Started in seedling trays

• Broadcast in meadow or naturalized areas

Keep the growing medium:

Lightly and consistently moist until germination.

Once seedlings establish, reduce watering frequency gradually.

Germination

Seeds generally germinate within:

14–30 days

under suitable conditions.

For successful germination:

• Use fresh seeds

• Maintain mild temperatures

• Keep the growing medium lightly moist

• Avoid deep sowing

• Maintain good drainage

Plant Spacing

Maintain approximately:

15–25 cm / 6–10 inches between plants

for ground-cover or meadow planting.

Plants can also be grown closer together where a denser naturalized appearance is desired.

Sunlight

Provide:

Full sun

For healthy compact growth and good flowering:

5–6+ hours of direct sunlight daily

is recommended.

RHS lists full sun as the preferred position for Lotus corniculatus.

Watering

Keep young seedlings moderately moist while they establish.

After establishment:

Water when the upper soil layer begins to dry.

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil prefers well-drained conditions and should not be kept continuously saturated.

Feeding

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil is a legume and can contribute nitrogen to the soil through its association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

At planting time, only a modest amount of:

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

is required.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, as this plant naturally performs well in lower-nitrogen conditions.

Garden Uses

Suitable for:

• Wildflower meadows

• Wildlife gardens

• Natural ground cover

• Pollinator-friendly gardens

• Soil stabilization

• Erosion-prone areas

• Low-maintenance landscapes

• Naturalistic borders

Related Products

• G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch

• G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch

• G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch

• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

• Summer Flower Seeds

• Growing Guide Videos – Gardening with Javed Iqbal