How much sun does Utah sweet-vetch need?

Utah sweet-vetch grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Utah sweet-vetch bloom?

Utah sweet-vetch blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Utah sweet-vetch native?

Utah sweet-vetch (Hedysarum boreale) is native to AZ, CO, ID, KS and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Utah sweet-vetch attract?

Utah sweet-vetch draws bumble bees and native bees.

Utah sweet-vetch

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hedysarum boreale

Last reviewed: September 2026

Utah sweet-vetch (Hedysarum boreale) is a perennial forb native to AZ, CO, ID, KS and 11 more states. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bumble bees and native bees.

Toxicity unknown

Utah sweet-vetch (Hedysarum boreale) 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

8"–20" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CO, ID, KS and 11 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, native 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 458 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

Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

A perennial forb with pinnately compound leaves and dense, upright spikes of rose-purple, pea-shaped flowers. Grows on dry, open slopes and rangeland across much of the interior West.

Growing Utah sweet-vetch

Grow Utah sweet-vetch in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 20 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The nectar-rich flower spikes are a strong draw for bumble bees and other native bees through the summer bloom period.

Common questions

How much sun does Utah sweet-vetch need?: Utah sweet-vetch grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Utah sweet-vetch bloom?: Utah sweet-vetch blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Utah sweet-vetch native?: Utah sweet-vetch (Hedysarum boreale) is native to AZ, CO, ID, KS and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Utah sweet-vetch attract?: Utah sweet-vetch draws bumble bees and native 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.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Utah sweet-vetch? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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