Horseshoe Vetch -hippocrepis comosa– grows best in light well-drained grassland and is suited to chalk and limestone soils on sites where there is plenty of sunlight. Plants host a wide range of insect life such as Bees, Butterflies and Caterpillars. Horseshoe Vetch is a very important plant for breeding butterflies, attracting a variety of species in the wild, such as the Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Silver-Studded Blue and Dingy Skipper, all of which will lay their eggs on the plant. This species is low growing, with yellow flowers, that appear from May to August resembling those of Bird’s foot trefoil. Horseshoe Vetch looks best growing with other chalk and limestone plants that flower in early to mid-summer such as Oxeye daisies, Greater Knapweed, Meadow Cranesbills and Small Scabious.
HORSESHOE VETCH Seeds
How to grow Horseshoe Vetch Seeds
Horseshoe Vetch seeds should be sown in spring or autumn, either outside, where they are to flower, or in seed trays and covered lightly with compost. Germination can be improved by lightly rubbing the seeds between 2 sheets of sandpaper. This is known as scarification and helps break down the seed’s tough outer shell. Horseshoe Vetch seeds are usually easy to germinate and the seedlings, which are quick to develop, can be pricked out and grown on, for planting out later in the year.type - perennial,
colour - Yellow,
height - 25 to 50cms,
flowering months - May, June, July, August,
habitat - Chalk and Limestone Grassland,
Caterpillar Food Plant, Attracts Butterflies