Great Plains milkvetch
Astragalus plattensis
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–12" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CO, KS, MT, ND and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees
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 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA low, mounding prairie legume with silvery pinnate leaves and dense spikes of violet-purple pea flowers close to the ground. It stays compact and tidy through the growing season on dry prairie soils.
Wildlife value
The spring flowers are worked heavily by native bees, and as a legume it fixes nitrogen that benefits surrounding prairie plants.
Common questions
- How much sun does Great Plains milkvetch need?
- Great Plains milkvetch grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Great Plains milkvetch bloom?
- Great Plains milkvetch blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Great Plains milkvetch native?
- Great Plains milkvetch (Astragalus plattensis) is native to CO, KS, MT, ND and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Great Plains milkvetch attract?
- Great Plains milkvetch draws bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Great Plains milkvetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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