Free Shipping on $50+ orders!

Basket

Showy Tick Trefoil Seeds

Desmodium canadense

  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Before planting, pour 180 degrees F water over the showy tick trefoil seeds and soak them overnight to soften the seed coat and speed germination. After the last frost of spring, direct sow 1/4" deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which should occur within 10-15 days. To start the Desmodium Canadense seed indoors, sow them in a flat 4-6 weeks before the last frost of spring; keep the soil lightly moist and at a temperature of 70 degrees F until germination. Thin or transplant seedlings.

Growing: This plant tolerates most soils with the exception of heavy clay. Water seedlings until they have become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought, but appreciate occasional watering in dry periods. In favorable locations, this plant will self-sow readily.

Harvesting: For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.

Seed Saving: After flowering, this plant will produce distinctive "chains" of velvety seed pods that have a natural stickiness. Remove the pods as soon as they achieve their mature light brown color. The sticky pods make cleaning the seed rather difficult, but they can be planted just as they are after being soaked overnight in hot water to soften the pod and speed germination. Store the pods in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Showy Trefoil, Beggars's Lice, Stick Tights

Latin Name: Desmodium canadense

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

US Regions: Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast

Seeds per Ounce: 5,000

Stratification: No Stratification

Germination Ease: No Stratification

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Height: 48 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Summer

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~150 Seeds) $3.48 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $7.96 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~5,000 Seeds) $12.65 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $33.01 -+
1 Lb Bulk Bag (454g) $120.00 -+
5 Lb Bulk Bag (2.27kg) $540.00 -+
10 Lb Bulk Bag (4.54kg) $960.00 -+
Add to Wishlist

DESCRIPTION

Showing off in later summer, this spiky flower bursts in pink profusion. This perennial makes a fantastic addition to garden or prairie, but please be aware that the hairy seed pods that develop can stick to pets or clothing.
This nitrogen-fixing native legume is a crucial food source for wild birds such as northern bobwhites, ruffed grouse, and wild turkeys. It also acts as a larval host for numerous butterflies including eastern tailed blue and silver spotted skipper. This plant's genus name Desmodium means "long chain," a reference to the unique segmented seed pods of this plant. The common names "Beggar's Lice" and "Stick Tights" are derived from the tendency of the seed pods to stick to everything they touch.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Before planting, pour 180 degrees F water over the showy tick trefoil seeds and soak them overnight to soften the seed coat and speed germination. After the last frost of spring, direct sow 1/4" deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which should occur within 10-15 days. To start the Desmodium Canadense seed indoors, sow them in a flat 4-6 weeks before the last frost of spring; keep the soil lightly moist and at a temperature of 70 degrees F until germination. Thin or transplant seedlings.

Growing: This plant tolerates most soils with the exception of heavy clay. Water seedlings until they have become established; mature plants can tolerate some drought, but appreciate occasional watering in dry periods. In favorable locations, this plant will self-sow readily.

Harvesting: For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.

Seed Saving: After flowering, this plant will produce distinctive "chains" of velvety seed pods that have a natural stickiness. Remove the pods as soon as they achieve their mature light brown color. The sticky pods make cleaning the seed rather difficult, but they can be planted just as they are after being soaked overnight in hot water to soften the pod and speed germination. Store the pods in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Showy Trefoil, Beggars's Lice, Stick Tights

Latin Name: Desmodium canadense

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

US Regions: Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast

Seeds per Ounce: 5,000

Stratification: No Stratification

Germination Ease: No Stratification

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Height: 48 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Summer

Also Consider These:

  • On Sale! Illinois Tick Trefoil Seeds Desmodium illinoense Quick View

    Starting at $3.48 USD
  • Panicled Tick Trefol Seeds Desmodium paniculatum Quick View

    Starting at $3.96 USD
  • Sessile Leaf Tick Trefoil Seeds Desmodium sessilifolium Quick View

    Starting at $3.96 USD