This plant is used as a perennial fodder crop for livestock.
Latin Name
Medicago sativa
Family
Fabaceae
Also Known As
Lucerne
Type of Plant
Crops
Perennials
Bloom Season
July
Seasons
Spring
Specifications
Max Height: 2'
Max Spread: 1.5'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Tolerances
Attracted Wildlife
Butterflies
Birds
Colors
Native Range
South-central Asia
History
Washington wrote in his diary in March of 1760 that he, "Began plowing the field by the Garden for Lucern."
Other Details
Pollinator
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
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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