Pennsylvania Cinquefoil vs Yellow Hedysarum - TreeTime.ca

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil vs Yellow Hedysarum

Hedysarum sulphurescens

Potentilla pensylvanica

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Yellow Hedysarum
Pennsylvania Cinquefoil

Yellow Hedysarum is a native perennial wildflower recognized for its clusters of pale yellow to creamy-white, pea-like blooms. Flowering from late spring into summer, it adds subtle colour to grasslands, roadsides, and open woods while attracting a variety of pollinators, especially bumblebees.

As a nitrogen-fixing plant, Yellow Hedysarum enriches soils and supports the growth of surrounding vegetation. Its deep taproot and extensive root system make it drought-tolerant and effective at stabilizing soil. Grizzly bears are known to dig up and eat the nutritious taproot. Its resilience and ecological value make it well-suited for restoration, naturalization, pollinator gardens, and erosion control projects.

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil is well suited for naturalisation projects as it is a wildflower native to North America. It is widespread and can be found growing in rocky soils at higher elevations in the mountains and foothills, as well as the dry prairies. The Pennsylvania Cinquefoil is capable of growing in cold, harsh conditions. The bright yellow flowers are found at the top of long stalks in small dense clusters and are ideal for attracting pollinators.

Yellow Hedysarum Quick Facts

Pennsylvania Cinquefoil Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 0.0 m (0.1 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: medium


Flowers: creamy yellow, in dense spikes
Flowers: yellow
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: sulphur hedysarum, sulphur sweet-vetch, yellow sweet-vetch
Other Names: prairie cinquefoil