Yellow Mountain Avens vs Yellow Hedysarum - TreeTime.ca

Yellow Mountain Avens vs Yellow Hedysarum

Dryas drummondii

Hedysarum sulphurescens

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Yellow Mountain Avens
Yellow Hedysarum

Yellow Mountain Avens is a native perennial wildflower with bright yellow buttercup-like blooms. The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. By thriving at higher elevations, it helps sustain pollinator populations and provides one of the earliest sources of nectar and pollen in alpine habitats.

As a nitrogen-fixing plant, Yellow Mountain Avens enriches soil fertility and supports the growth of surrounding vegetation. It forms dense, spreading mats of evergreen foliage that act as a groundcover and help stabilize soil. Often among the first species to establish in disturbed alpine sites such as glacial outwash or landslides, it is well-suited for alpine revegetation, erosion control, naturalization, and ecological restoration projects in harsh, rocky environments.

Yellow Hedysarum is a native perennial wildflower recognised for its clusters of bright yellow pea-like blooms. It adds colour to grasslands, roadsides, and open woods. It is also a nitrogen fixer, which helps improve soil fertility. Because of its deep root system, it contributes to slope and soil stabilisation.

The plant provides forage for wildlife and cover for small animals, especially its roots. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees.

Yellow Hedysarum plays an important role in prairie and foothill ecosystems. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, naturalisation, pollinator gardens, and erosion control projects.

Yellow Mountain Avens Quick Facts

Yellow Hedysarum Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2b
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: mat-forming, creeping
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: stolons - medium, seeds - low
Spreading: seeds - low


Foliage: evergreen, leathery
Flowers: yellow, buttercup-like, nodding
Flowers: creamy yellow, in dense spikes
Bloom time: spring to summer
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON, QC, NB, NL, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC
Other Names: drummonds dryad, drummonds mountain avens, yellow dryad
Other Names: sulphur hedysarum, sulphur sweet-vetch, yellow sweet-vetch