Crownvetch: A Ground Cover with Mixed Reviews
If you’ve ever driven down a highway and noticed sprawling patches of pink and purple flowers cascading down embankments, you’ve likely spotted crownvetch (Securigera). This hardy ground cover has quite the reputation – some gardeners swear by it for tough spots, while others approach it with caution. Let’s dig into what makes this plant tick and whether it deserves a spot in your landscape.
What Exactly Is Crownvetch?
Crownvetch is a non-native perennial herb that originally hails from Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Don’t let the name fool you – it’s not actually related to true vetches, but it does belong to the pea family. This forb (that’s gardener-speak for a non-woody flowering plant) produces distinctive clusters of pink to purple pea-like flowers that bloom throughout the growing season.
As a perennial that can sometimes behave like an annual, crownvetch forms dense mats of compound leaves that hug the ground. It’s the kind of plant that doesn’t ask for much but gives you plenty in return – sometimes more than you bargained for!
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
Crownvetch has made itself quite at home across North America. You can find it naturalized throughout most of the United States, from coast to coast, as well as in many Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. It’s even established itself in Hawaii and Newfoundland.
The Good, The Bad, and The Spreading
Here’s where crownvetch gets interesting. On the plus side, it’s incredibly tough and serves some genuinely useful purposes:
- Excellent for erosion control on slopes and embankments
- Thrives in poor soils where other plants struggle
- Provides nectar for bees and other pollinators
- Requires virtually no maintenance once established
- Drought-tolerant and hardy in USDA zones 3-9
However, crownvetch comes with some significant considerations. As a non-native species that spreads readily, it can potentially outcompete native plants in natural areas. While not officially classified in our data as invasive, its aggressive spreading nature means you should think carefully about where you plant it.
Growing Crownvetch Successfully
If you decide crownvetch fits your needs, you’ll find it refreshingly low-maintenance. This plant actually prefers poor, well-draining soils and full sun to partial shade. Rich, fertile soil might make it too happy – and by happy, we mean aggressively spreading.
Plant it in spring after the last frost, and don’t be surprised if it takes a season or two to really get established. Once it does, though, you’ll have a virtually indestructible ground cover that can handle drought, poor soil, and neglect like a champ.
Is Crownvetch Right for Your Garden?
Crownvetch works best in specific situations:
- Steep slopes that need erosion control
- Areas where nothing else will grow
- Low-maintenance, naturalized landscapes
- Spots where you want dense coverage and don’t mind aggressive spreading
However, avoid planting it near natural areas, native plant gardens, or anywhere you want to maintain tight control over what grows where.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Before settling on crownvetch, consider these native alternatives that can provide similar benefits without the ecological concerns:
- Wild bergamot for pollinator-friendly ground cover
- Native sedums for drought-tolerant slopes
- Regional native grasses for erosion control
- Native wildflower mixes suited to your specific area
The bottom line? Crownvetch can be a useful tool in the right situation, but it’s worth exploring native options first. If you do choose crownvetch, plant it responsibly and keep an eye on its spread. Your local ecosystem – and your neighbors – will thank you for the thoughtful approach.
