Hairy vetch
Vicia villosa · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant hairy vetch: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July)
- Adult size
- 60 to 120 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean and Central Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, undemanding
Care
Watering
Hairy vetchling tolerates drought well once established. Water moderately during active growth in spring, especially if rainfall is absent. In summer, occasional watering is sufficient. Avoid excess water which promotes fungal diseases.
Exposure
Place hairy vetchling in full sun for optimal flowering. It accepts partial shade but will flower less abundantly. This legume appreciates well-exposed and airy locations.
Soil and planting
Install hairy vetchling in well-drained soil, even if stony or chalky. This plant is undemanding regarding soil fertility, and even beneficial as it enriches soil with nitrogen through its root symbiosis. Prepare the ground by loosening the soil before sowing.
Pruning and training
Hairy vetchling requires little pruning. You can cut back the plant after flowering to encourage denser branching. Stake lightly if it becomes too tall and leggy, particularly in very rich soils.
Fertilizer
Like all legumes, hairy vetchling fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules. Fertilizer is rarely needed. In very poor soils, a light addition of compost in spring is sufficient.
Diseases and pests
Hairy vetchling is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew and rusts in humid conditions: improve air circulation and reduce overhead watering. Aphids may appear in spring but cause only minor damage to an established plant.
Did you know?
Hairy vetchling is a traditional agricultural cover crop: sown in autumn or spring, it naturally enriches soils with nitrogen and is often ploughed in as green manure. In beekeeping, its purple flowers attract pollinators massively, making it a valuable ally for organic gardens and biodiversity areas.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.