View Larger Alfalfa

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden

  • Botanical Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3 3 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b 10 10b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

    This plant is used as a perennial fodder crop for livestock.

    Latin Name

    Medicago sativa


    Family

    Fabaceae


    Also Known As

    Lucerne


    Type of Plant

    Crops Crops
    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    July

    Seasons

    Spring Spring

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 2'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Ground Cover
  • Crop

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies
    Birds Birds

    Colors


    Native Range

    South-central Asia


    History

    Washington wrote in his diary in March of 1760 that he, "Began plowing the field by the Garden for Lucern."


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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