Jordal’s Locoweed: A Rare Arctic Beauty for Specialized Gardens
If you’re looking for a conversation starter that’s both beautiful and botanically fascinating, meet Jordal’s locoweed (Oxytropis campestris var. jordalii). This perennial forb might not be your typical garden center find, but for the right gardener in the right location, it could be a unique addition to a specialized landscape.
What Makes Jordal’s Locoweed Special?
Jordal’s locoweed is a native North American plant that calls some of our continent’s most remote and rugged places home. As a perennial forb, it’s an herbaceous plant that comes back year after year, though it lacks the woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. This hardy little plant has adapted to survive in some pretty challenging conditions, making it a testament to nature’s resilience.
You might also see this plant listed under its synonyms: Oxytropis campestris ssp. jordalii or Oxytropis jordalii, depending on which botanical reference you’re consulting.
Where Does It Call Home?
This northern native has quite the impressive range across the far north, naturally occurring in:
- Alaska
- British Columbia
- Yukon Territory
- Northwest Territories
These locations give you a pretty good hint about what kind of growing conditions this plant prefers – think cold, really cold!
Should You Grow Jordal’s Locoweed?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While Jordal’s locoweed is undoubtedly a fascinating native plant, it’s not exactly what you’d call garden-friendly for most of us. This variety is adapted to arctic and subarctic conditions that are pretty difficult to replicate in typical garden settings.
The Challenges:
- Extremely specialized growing requirements
- Limited availability in the nursery trade
- Requires very cold winter conditions to thrive
- Little horticultural information available for home gardeners
Who Might Want to Try It:
- Gardeners in extremely cold climates (USDA zones 1-3)
- Alpine garden enthusiasts
- Native plant collectors
- Those creating specialized arctic plant displays
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re determined to give Jordal’s locoweed a try, you’ll need to recreate its natural arctic habitat as much as possible. While specific growing information for this variety is limited, we can make some educated guesses based on its native range:
- Climate: Extremely cold-hardy, requires long, cold winters
- Soil: Likely prefers well-draining, rocky or sandy soils
- Sunlight: Probably full sun to partial shade
- Moisture: Moderate moisture during growing season
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest – unless you’re gardening in Alaska or northern Canada, Jordal’s locoweed probably isn’t the plant for you. Its specialized needs and limited availability make it more of a botanical curiosity than a practical garden choice for most gardeners.
If you’re drawn to native plants but live in a more temperate climate, consider exploring native options that are better suited to your local conditions. Your local native plant society or extension office can help you find beautiful native alternatives that will thrive in your specific area.
The Bottom Line
Jordal’s locoweed represents the incredible diversity of North American native plants, showcasing how life adapts to even the most challenging environments. While it may not be destined for most of our gardens, it serves as a reminder of the amazing plant communities that exist in our northern wilderness areas.
For the vast majority of gardeners, appreciating this plant from afar (perhaps through nature photography or botanical references) might be the best approach. But if you happen to live in its natural range and have experience with arctic plants, it could be an interesting addition to a specialized native plant collection.
