Black Medick Seeds (Medicago lupulina)

A charming, clover‑like perennial that blooms in dense clusters of small yellow flowers from late spring through summer. Its mat‑forming habit and persistent foliage make it perfect for integrating into wildflower margins, pollinator under‑planting, and ecological turf mixtures.

Key Features:

• Delicate, bright yellow flower heads that appeal to many pollinators
• Low-growing, forming a soft carpet under taller wildflowers
• Nitrogen-fixing, improving soil fertility naturally
• Hardy, resilient, and tolerant to a range of conditions
• Encourages biodiversity
• Approx. 450 seeds per 1g

Black medick (Medicago lupulina) is a perennial legume, often growing to around 10–30 cm in height. Its trifoliate leaves and slender stems spread over the ground, often forming a semi‑matting habit. From late spring onward, it carries clusters of tiny golden-yellow blossoms, each cluster made of many small flowers, that sit modestly above the foliage. The flowering continues through summer, sometimes spilling into early autumn, depending on conditions.

The species is celebrated not only for its ornamental grace but for its ecological function: as a nitrogen-fixer, black medick captures atmospheric nitrogen via root nodules, naturally enriching the soil. In mixed wildflower or meadow plantings, it supports soil health and encourages more balanced communities. It is especially effective in lighter, moderately drained soils, and tolerates fairly dry conditions once established. In more fertile soils it may be outcompeted by vigorous grasses, so it thrives where moderation is maintained.

In mature swards, black medick behaves gently, never aggressive, but consistently present, offering a soft, living carpet that complements bolder plants rather than overwhelms them.

Black medick can be sown either in spring (March to May) or autumn (August to October).

Rake to a fine tilth, and press the soil lightly to consolidate. Broadcast the seed evenly over the surface; black medick seeds are small, so they should not be buried deeply.

Maintain light moisture during germination, especially in dry spells, being careful not to saturate. Germination typically occurs within two to four weeks, though cooler or drier soils may delay it. In its first year, growth is often modest, and flowering may be limited as the plant develops root systems.

Once established, Black Medick is remarkably low maintenance. It flourishes in lower fertility soils, so avoid applying high-nutrient fertiliser which may favour grasses over legumes, the plant tolerates moderate drought and does not demand rich conditions.

At the end of the growing season, in late autumn or early spring, a gentle trim to tidy up spent growth is beneficial, this also encourages fresh regrowth and helps maintain appearance. Over time, self-seeding may occur, sustaining its presence without intervention, though thinning may be needed if densities become excessive in mixed swards.

For garden applications direct sow at 1g/m2. For overseeding existing meadow planting or for new sowings on larger areas sow at a maximum of 2g/m2.

Black Medick is superb for meadow margins, low-growing groundcover in wildflower strips, pollinator corridors, and adding gentle texture to ecological grassland mixes. Its blossoms are beloved by bumblebees, solitary bees, honeybees, and small hoverflies. Its low form provides shelter and foraging opportunities close to the ground, making it especially valuable to less mobile insects and ground-nesting species.

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Garden lawn seed, wildflower seeds, and wildflower seed mixtures are typically dispatched within 1 to 3 working days.

Products from our agricultural, landscaping, and equine ranges may be shipped separately as they are mixed to order.

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Q1: Does Black Medick fix nitrogen effectively?

A: Yes, as a legume, it forms root nodules with symbiotic bacteria, converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable in soil. This natural enrichment helps neighbouring plants, especially in moderate fertility conditions.

Q2: Will Black Medick outcompete grasses or dominate?

A: Unlikely in balanced wildflower or meadow settings. It is relatively gentle and low-growing; in highly fertile or densely sown grass mixtures it may be suppressed. It thrives best where grass dominance is checked and soils are not over-fertilised.

Q3: Can Black Medick be mown or cut short?

A: Yes, it tolerates light mowing or topping, though it’s better suited for low-cut regimes (e.g. late summer or autumn cuts). Avoid very frequent, close mowing, particularly while the plant is establishing.

Q4: When will Black Medick flower after sowing?

A: If conditions are favourable, you may see blooms in the first summer (especially for spring sowing). More typically, flowering becomes more robust in the second year, once root systems and plant density are better established.