Kidney Vetch

The erect perennial herb can grow up to 30 cm in height. It has round clusters of flowers and can vary from pale yellow to fiery red in colour.

Uses

Often put in soil specific mixtures such as the chalk and limestone wildflower mixture.

Persistence

It is important to have some disturbance to the soil if the plant is to persist.

Strengths

It is a very attractive and beneficial plant to wildlife, providing a very rich source of nectar.

Frost Tolerance

This is quite a hardy perennial and is not frost tender.

Ideal Sowing Time

Kidney Vetch seeds should be sown in Spring or Autumn.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
The plant has tiny seed-pods, each carrying only one seed and enclosed in a calyx covered with woolly hairs.

Flowering Plant
The colour of kidney vetch flowers can vary depending on location, from pale yellow to orange or fiery red. Its flowers are located on rounded clusters, with leaves divided into narrow leaflets that are silky and white underneath.

Additional Info

Flowers: May to August Kidney Vetch is also known by some as woundwort.

Works well with

Birdsfoot trefoil and field scabious.

You can find Kidney Vetch in the following mixtures

• Chalk & Limestone Soil Mixture
• Cotswold Wild Flora

History

In the past Kidney Vetch has been used by traditional herbalists to heal wounds, relieve swelling, and to even treat stomach and kidney problems.