Oxytropis Species, Showy Locoweed
Oxytropissplendens

Family: Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Oxytropis (ok-SEE-troh-pus)
Species: splendens (SPLEN-denz)

Synonym:Aragallus splendens

Synonym:Oxytropis caudata

Synonym:Oxytropis richardsonii

Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials

Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Succulent

Foliage Color
Bronze

Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
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)

Where to Grow

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Blue-Violet
Lavender

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (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
Scarify seed before sowing

Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds