How much sun does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil need?

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil bloom?

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil native?

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil (Hosackia oblongifolia) is native to CA, NV, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil attract?

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil draws bees and butterflies.

Is Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil HOA-friendly?

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hosackia oblongifolia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil (Hosackia oblongifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–24" H × 8"–16" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, NV, OR

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Hosackia oblongifolia is a low-growing native wildflower that forms small mounds of gray-green foliage. It produces clusters of small yellow pea-like flowers from May through July, followed by small seed pods.

In an HOA neighborhood

Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Has distinctly wild appearance that looks weedy to many
Small flowers and informal growth habit don't read as 'landscaped'
May go dormant and look sparse in winter

Wildlife value

This plant attracts native bees and butterflies during its summer blooming period. As a member of the legume family, it also helps fix nitrogen in the soil.

Common questions

How much sun does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil need?: Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil bloom?: Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil native?: Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil (Hosackia oblongifolia) is native to CA, NV, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil attract?: Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil draws bees and butterflies.
Is Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil HOA-friendly?: Copper-flowered Bird's-foot Trefoil takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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