Common Restharrow: A Creeping Perennial with Pea-Like Blooms
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover that produces charming pink flowers and doesn’t mind tough growing conditions, common restharrow (Ononis repens) might catch your eye. This creeping perennial has made its way from European coastlines to scattered locations across North America, where it’s found a niche in some challenging garden spots.
What Is Common Restharrow?
Common restharrow is a perennial forb, which simply means it’s a non-woody herbaceous plant that comes back year after year. True to its name repens (meaning creeping), this plant spreads along the ground through underground stems, forming low mats of green foliage topped with delicate flowers that look like tiny sweet peas.
The plant produces compound leaves and small pink to purple flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Don’t expect a towering specimen – common restharrow stays close to the ground, typically reaching only 6-12 inches in height but spreading much wider.
Where Does It Grow?
Originally from Europe’s Mediterranean regions and Atlantic coasts, common restharrow has established itself in four U.S. states: Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Washington. It’s considered a non-native species that has naturalized in these areas, meaning it reproduces on its own without human help.
Garden Appeal and Uses
Common restharrow shines in challenging garden spots where other plants might struggle. Its creeping habit makes it useful as:
- Ground cover for slopes or difficult areas
- Rock garden plantings
- Coastal gardens where salt tolerance is important
- Mediterranean-style landscapes
- Xeriscaping projects
The small pea-like flowers provide modest but consistent color, and they do attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding some wildlife value to your garden.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of common restharrow’s strongest selling points is its ability to thrive in conditions that would stress many garden plants. It performs best in:
- Sunlight: Full sun locations
- Soil: Well-drained soils, including poor or sandy conditions
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 6-9
- Special conditions: Tolerates salt spray, making it excellent for coastal gardens
Once established, common restharrow requires minimal care. It’s naturally drought tolerant and actually prefers lean soils over rich, fertilized ones. The main thing to watch for is its spreading habit – while this makes it excellent ground cover, you’ll want to plant it where you’re happy to have it spread.
Should You Plant It?
Common restharrow occupies an interesting middle ground in the gardening world. It’s not native to North America, but it’s also not considered invasive or problematic in the areas where it grows. If you have a tough spot in your garden – perhaps a sunny slope with poor soil or a coastal area with salt exposure – and you need reliable ground cover, it could be worth considering.
However, if you’re committed to supporting native ecosystems, you might want to explore native alternatives first. For similar growing conditions, consider native options like:
- Wild strawberry (Fragaria species) for ground cover
- Native sedums for rock gardens
- Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) for coastal areas
- Regional native legumes that provide similar nitrogen-fixing benefits
The Bottom Line
Common restharrow is a practical choice for gardeners dealing with challenging conditions who want a low-maintenance, spreading perennial with modest ornamental value. While it won’t be the star of your garden, it can be a reliable supporting player in the right setting. Just remember that as a non-native species, it may not provide the same ecological benefits as plants that evolved alongside local wildlife.
If you do choose to plant common restharrow, source it responsibly and be mindful of its spreading nature. And if you’re passionate about native gardening, take some time to research native alternatives that might fill the same niche in your landscape while supporting local ecosystems.
