Ground Plum
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Astragalus crassicarpus
Commonly known as Ground Plum, Buffalo Plum, and Groundplum Milkvetch.
A herbaceous, taprooted perennial native to prairies, fields, roadsides, glades, bluff tops, and rocky, woodland openings in the central and western United States and Canada. A low-growing, spreading legume that prefers shade in Texas but full sun in northern states.
Makes a great ground cover or in rock gardens due to its spreading habit and short height. It has pinnate leaves and blooms clusters of pink-purple and white pea-like blossoms. After blooming, bunches of 1" edible plum shaped peas appear that taste similar to sweet peas raw and similar to green beans when cooked. Other astragalus species that look very similar are poisonous, so it is recommended not to try to forage from the wild without 100% certain identification.
A favorite among bees and a host plant for Clouded Sulphur butterflies.
Drought tolerant once established. Best grown in moist to dry, well-draining soil (sandy loams are best). Intolerant of root disturbance. Avoid transplanting once established.
Height: 6"-12"
Spread: 9"-18"
Bloom: April-June
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Dappled Shade (in Texas)
Water: Dry, Medium
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: Texas, Central U.S., Canada
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
