Showy Tick-Trefoil

Desmodium canadense

Native to: All of New England

Life cycle: Perennial

Light: Full/Partial Sun

Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry

Height: 18-60”
Spacing: 1’

Blooms: July-August
Bloom Color: Purple

Natural Habitat: Man-made or disturbed habitats, river or stream floodplains, forest edges, forests, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

Benefits: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Host Plant (eg. Silver-spotted Skipper, Hoary Edge), Compaction Tolerant, Low Maintenance

“Desmodium canadense is aptly named Showy Tick Trefoil for its numerous pink flowers that bloom along the plant’s upper stems for about three weeks in mid-summer. The effect is more attractive in colonies than isolated plants and tight plantings can help counter a tendency to sprawl. Like other tick trefoils (legume), Desmodium canadense adds soil nitrogen and has tiny hairs along its stems, leaves and seedpods, facilitating seed distribution by passing mammals and humans. The nectar, pollen, seeds and foliage of this species appeal to a number of insects, birds and mammals.”

–Prairie Moon Nursery