Tephrosia Species, Catgut, Devil's Shoestring, Goat's Rue

Tephrosiavirginiana

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Tephrosia (tef-ROH-see-uh)
Species
virginiana (vir-jin-ee-AN-uh)
Synonym
Cracca virginiana
Tephrosia leucosericea
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Morrilton, Arkansas

Keystone Heights, Florida

Savannah, Georgia

Stillmore, Georgia

Custer, Kentucky

Haskell, Oklahoma

Thackerville, Oklahoma

Conway, South Carolina

Walkerton, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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J
(Zone 7b) | May 2006 | positive

Growing healthy in colonies on nutrient poor sandy alkaline soils in Oklahoma..hard to transplant from taproot......reseeds easily..no p...Read More

T
Mercer, PA (Zone 5a) | October 2004 | neutral

Goat's rue with it's cream colored standard and pink petals and keel is an unusual combination of colors. It is a legume with soil buildi...Read More

I
I
Lyles, TN | May 2001 | neutral

Plant contains insecticide, needs more investigation as a home-grown insect killer.

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