Shrubby scorpion-vetch
Coronilla valentina · Fabaceae
📷 Vassil · Public domain
⚠️ Cardioglycosides dans feuilles ; toxicité cardiaque pour chiens/chats et enfants par ingestion.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around shrubby scorpion-vetch and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, compound and finely cut
- Flowering
- February to May, yellow flowers in dense umbels
- Adult size
- 100 cm tall, compact and rounded habit
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Down to -8 °C approximately (zones 8-9)
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin, particularly Spain and southern France
- Soil type
- Well-draining, calcareous or neutral, undemanding
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Coronilla valentina thrives in poor, rocky soils—perfect for slopes or rock gardens. No fertilizer needed: in rich soil it gets sluggish and flowers poorly.
The common mistake
People over-fertilize or plant it in rich beds thinking they're 'feeding' it; it sprawls sloppily and its fragrant blooms fade.
The pro's trick
Trim lightly after flowering to encourage branching and keep a compact shape.
Care
Sunlight
Coronilla valentina demands full sun for abundant flowering and a compact habit. Position it in a spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. In very warm regions, light afternoon shade can prevent excessive drying out.
Watering
This plant is very economical with water once established. Water regularly for the first few weeks after planting, then space out watering. In summer, occasional watering is sufficient; excess moisture promotes root diseases.
Soil Preparation
Choose light, very well-draining soil. Enrich lightly with ripe compost, then incorporate gravel or sand if your soil is compact. Avoid overly moist or waterlogged soils, particularly in winter.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, airy shape. Remove dead or diseased branches. Severe pruning into old wood is possible but best avoided; the plant prefers measured interventions.
Fertilizing
Little fertilizer is needed. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is more than enough. As a legume, coronilla naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen through its root nodules.
Diseases and Pests
It is generally robust. Beware of standing moisture which can cause root or fungal rot. Occasionally watch for aphids, treatable by spraying soapy water. No major problems under appropriate growing conditions.
Did you know?
Coronilla valentina owes its name to the Valencia region in Spain, where it grows naturally. Once prized in Mediterranean gardens of the 18th and 19th centuries as an ornamental and honey plant, its yellow clusters generously attract bees and butterflies in the depths of winter and early spring.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.