Bessey’s Locoweed: A Beautiful but Challenging Native Wildflower
If you’re drawn to delicate wildflowers with a touch of mountain mystique, Bessey’s locoweed (Oxytropis besseyi) might catch your eye. This charming native perennial brings a splash of purple-pink blooms to western landscapes, but it comes with some important considerations that every gardener should know before planting.
What Is Bessey’s Locoweed?
Bessey’s locoweed is a native North American perennial forb that belongs to the pea family. As a forb, it’s a non-woody flowering plant that dies back to ground level each winter and returns from its roots in spring. Don’t let the name locoweed scare you off entirely – it refers to the plant’s historical association with livestock toxicity, but we’ll get to that later.
This hardy little plant produces clusters of small, pea-like flowers in shades of purple-pink that bloom in dense, upright spikes. The silvery-green compound leaves are covered in soft, silky hairs that give the plant an almost ethereal appearance, especially when backlit by morning or evening sun.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
Bessey’s locoweed is native to both Canada and the lower 48 United States, with a distribution that spans across Colorado, Saskatchewan, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. This plant is perfectly adapted to the challenging conditions of the western mountains and high plains.
Should You Plant Bessey’s Locoweed?
Here’s where things get a bit complicated. While Bessey’s locoweed is undeniably beautiful and ecologically valuable, it’s not the right choice for every garden – or every gardener.
The Good News
- Native beauty: Supporting native plants helps local ecosystems and provides authentic regional character
- Pollinator magnet: Native bees and other pollinators love the nectar-rich flowers
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and requires minimal care
- Unique aesthetic: The silvery foliage and purple blooms create striking textural contrast
The Challenges
- Toxicity concerns: Like other locoweeds, this plant contains alkaloids that are toxic to livestock and potentially harmful to pets
- Specialized needs: It requires very specific growing conditions that can be difficult to replicate
- Limited availability: Seeds and plants can be hard to find from reputable native plant sources
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to take on the challenge of growing Bessey’s locoweed, success depends on mimicking its natural mountain habitat as closely as possible.
Light and Location
This plant absolutely requires full sun – at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It’s hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making it suitable for cooler climates with cold winters.
Soil Requirements
The most critical factor for success is drainage. Bessey’s locoweed needs extremely well-draining soil and will quickly rot in heavy, clay, or consistently moist conditions. It prefers alkaline soils, similar to what it would encounter in its native limestone mountain habitats. Consider adding gravel or sand to improve drainage and raise the pH if needed.
Water Needs
Once established, this plant is remarkably drought-tolerant. In fact, overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill it. Water sparingly and only during extended dry periods in the first growing season, then let nature take over.
Where Does It Fit in Your Landscape?
Bessey’s locoweed works best in specialized garden settings rather than traditional flower beds. Consider it for:
- Rock gardens where drainage is excellent
- Native plant gardens focused on regional flora
- Wildflower meadows in appropriate climate zones
- Xeric (dry) landscape designs
This isn’t a plant for formal borders or high-traffic areas. It’s more of a plant it and leave it alone specimen that rewards patience and restraint.
A Word of Caution
Before planting Bessey’s locoweed, seriously consider whether you have pets that might nibble on plants or if livestock could access your garden. The toxic alkaloids that give locoweeds their name can cause serious health problems in animals that consume them regularly.
The Bottom Line
Bessey’s locoweed is a plant for the experienced native plant gardener who appreciates subtle beauty and can provide the specialized conditions it requires. If you’re new to native gardening or looking for easy-care options, you might want to start with other native wildflowers that are more forgiving.
However, if you’re up for the challenge and can provide the right conditions, this little mountain native can be a rewarding addition that connects your garden to the wild landscapes of the American West – just remember to plant and enjoy it responsibly.
