View Larger Sainfoin

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Botanical Garden Fruit Garden & Nursery

  • Botanical Garden
  • Fruit Garden & Nursery

  • Hardiness Zones

    5 5 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 5 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    Sainfoin is a fodder crop that is highly nutritious for livestock and also provides nectar for bees.

    Latin Name

    Onobrychis viciifolia


    Family

    Fabaceae


    Type of Plant

    Crops Crops
    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    July - August


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 3'
    Max spread Max Spread: 2'

    Uses

  • Crop

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Europe, Asia


    History

    Washington was constantly experimenting with sainfoin, but failing.


    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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