Bird's-Foot Trefoil Seeds (Lotus corniculatus)

Loved by bees, butterflies, and other pollinators this low-growing perennial adds golden colour to meadows, lawns, and borders, and plays an essential role in nitrogen-fixing, helping to enrich the soil naturally. 

Key Features:

• Excellent companion plant that boosts pollination and deters pests in vegetable gardens
• Edible and ornamental: cucumber-flavoured leaves and decorative blue flowers
• Pollinator magnet: attracts bees and other beneficial insects
• Low-maintenance: fast-growing and self-seeding for continued blooms year after year
  
• Approx. 35 seeds per 1g of Borage seeds

Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a native UK wildflower known for its cheerful yellow, pea-like flowers that often have orange or red tinges. Its name comes from the shape of the seed pods, which resemble a bird’s foot.

A member of the legume family, it thrives in sunny, well-drained soils and is particularly well-suited to nutrient-poor conditions where other plants may struggle.

Highly valued for its wildlife benefits, Bird’s-foot Trefoil is a magnet for pollinators, especially long-tongued bees and butterflies like the Common Blue. Its long flowering period provides an extended food source, making it a vital addition to pollinator pathways and low-input landscapes.

Growing up to 30 cm tall, it forms a dense mat of foliage that suppresses weeds and helps stabilise soil, making it an excellent choice for erosion-prone sites, banks, and green roofs. Once established, it requires very little maintenance and will return year after year.

Sow Bird’s-foot Trefoil from March to May or late August to early October. Choose an open, sunny site with well-drained soil, ideal conditions for strong root development and healthy growth. Seeds can be broadcast over prepared soil or added to a wildflower seed mix for diverse meadow planting.

Lightly rake and firm the surface after sowing but do not bury seeds deeply, as they need light to germinate.

Water lightly during dry spells until seedlings are established. Once mature, Bird’s-foot Trefoil is drought-tolerant and thrives with little input. It benefits from occasional mowing or cutting back after flowering to encourage regrowth and prolong its lifespan.

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.

Perfect for wildflower meadows, grass verges, green roofs, and sunny borders, Bird’s-foot Trefoil is an essential addition to any pollinator-friendly garden. It supports bees, butterflies, and moths while also improving soil health.

It’s a larval food plant for several butterfly species, including the Common Blue and Dingy Skipper, making it indispensable for wildlife corridors and conservation projects.

We offer a flat shipping rate of £5.99.

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.

We aim to ensure customer satisfaction with all products supplied. If you experience any issues with your order, please contact us at info@kentseeds.co.uk within 5 working days of the dispatch date, quoting your order number and a detailed description of the issue.

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Q1: When should I sow Bird’s-foot Trefoil?
A: Sow in spring (March–May) or autumn (late August–October) for best results. It establishes quickly in warm, moist conditions.

Q2: Is Bird’s-foot Trefoil good for pollinators?
A: Absolutely. It provides high-quality nectar and is especially attractive to bees and butterflies. It’s also a food plant for caterpillars.

Q3: Will it grow in poor soil?
A: Yes. It thrives in low-nutrient, well-drained soils and is especially suited to dry or sandy areas.

Q4: Does it come back every year?
A: Yes. Bird’s-foot Trefoil is a hardy perennial that will return each year with minimal care.