BIRD'S FOOT TREFOIL (Lotus Corniculatus)

20cm bare root super-plug (perennial).

Bird's-foot Trefoil is one of the most valuable native wildflowers for supporting British wildlife. Recognisable by its clusters of bright yellow, pea-like flowers, often tinged with orange or red as they mature (the reason it has the old-English nickname "Eggs and Bacon"), this charming perennial brings colour and ecological importance to meadows, grasslands and garden wildflower areas. Its unusual seed pods radiate from a central point, resembling a bird's foot and giving rise to its distinctive common name.

This easy-to-grow wildflower thrives in well-drained soils and flourishes in sunny locations. Bird's-foot Trefoil is naturally found in a wide range of habitats, including species-rich grasslands, roadside verges, coastal cliffs and chalk downland. It performs particularly well on poorer soils where more vigorous plants struggle to compete, making it an ideal choice for wildflower meadow creation and habitat restoration projects. Once established, it is drought tolerant and requires very little ongoing maintenance.

Few native wildflowers can match Bird's-foot Trefoil for its wildlife value. The nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects throughout the summer months. It is especially important as a larval food plant for several butterfly species, including the Common Blue, Clouded Yellow, Dingy Skipper and Six-spot Burnet moth. By supporting both adult pollinators and developing caterpillars, Bird's-foot Trefoil plays a vital role in sustaining healthy and diverse insect populations.

Flowering from May through to September, Bird's-foot Trefoil provides a long-lasting display of vibrant colour during the peak wildlife season. Growing to around 15-40cm in height, it blends beautifully with other native meadow favourites such as Oxeye Daisy, Red Clover and Knapweed. Whether used in a traditional wildflower meadow, a pollinator-friendly garden or a conservation project, Bird's-foot Trefoil is an indispensable species that combines beauty, resilience and exceptional biodiversity benefits.