Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Tom Thumb, or Eggs and Bacon to give it two of its alternative names, is a very valuable plant on its own or in a wildflower meadow. It has a vigorous scrambling, low lying habit, and its bright orange-yellow blossoms appear in June and may continue sporadically into September. The flowers are said to look like bird's feet, which you can (sort of) see. It does well in a wide range of conditions, but needs full sun. Lotus corniculatus has almost more local folk names than any other plant, indicating not just how widespread a species it is, but also that has been noticed and appreciated.

Value For Wildlife

Birdsfoot trefoil is pollinated specifically by the bumblebees which love it, but smaller butterflies, especially the common blue and its less common relative the brown argus, also visit it for nectar. As well as acting as a helpful and long flowering nectar plant, Birdsfoot Trefoil is also the foodplant for 160 moth and butterfly caterpillars.

Plants And Seeds For Sale

We supply Birdsfoot trefoil in our selected wildflower trays or seed mixes but we also sell it on its own here as seed, 55cc plug plants, or in more generous half litre pots.

Supplier : British Wildflower Plants / All Things Rural
Our Birdsfoot trefoil plants and seeds have guaranteed UK provenance.