10 Tephrosia Virginiana Seeds Goat's Rue Wildflower Pollinator Cottage Garden

Goat's Rue (Tephrosia virginiana) is a native perennial wildflower prized for its distinctive bicolored blooms and fine, silvery-green foliage. The pea-like flowers appear in creamy yellow and soft pink tones, creating a delicate two-tone effect that stands out in meadow plantings, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. This legume-family species has a clumping, bushy habit and makes a lovely texture contrast among broader-leaved perennials. It is a wonderful choice for gardeners looking to add a native wildflower with quiet charm and seasonal interest.

In the garden, Goat's Rue works well in pollinator and native wildflower plantings, mixed borders, rock gardens, and meadow-style landscapes. The flowers draw bees and other beneficial insects through the bloom season, while the fine foliage adds soft movement and texture. As a legume, it forms a taproot and prefers well-drained sites; it dislikes soggy, waterlogged soils. Plants are slow to establish but long-lived once settled. Foliage is typically cut back by frost, with fresh growth returning in spring.
Species: Tephrosia virginiana
Variety: Goat's Rue
Type: Herbaceous perennial wildflower (legume)
Plant_Habit: Clumping, upright to spreading bushy habit
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy, slightly acidic to neutral
Days_to_Harvest: Not applicable
Zones: 4-8
Germination: Scarify seed and cold-moist stratify to improve germination; expect slow and uneven sprouting
Sowing: Surface sow and press in; do not bury deeply; keep evenly moist until sprouting
Spacing: 12-18 inches apart
Notes: Deep taproot; drought-tolerant once established; transplant young seedlings with care