Crown Vetch: A Beautiful Flower That Blooms in Two Colors, Delicate and Fresh
Crown Vetch (scientific name: Coronilla varia) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the genus Coronilla of the Fabaceae family. Its stems are upright, robust, much-branched, and spreading, reaching 50-100 cm in height. It is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It is cultivated in southern Northeast China. This species has purplish-red, showy flowers and can be used as an ornamental plant; besides being ornamental, it also has medicinal uses.
Crown Vetch
Growing Environment:
Crown Vetch prefers a warm and humid climate, but because its root sprout buds lie dormant about 20 cm below the soil surface, it has strong cold resistance and can overwinter well. In Xi'an, its green period is about 220 days, while in Wuhan and Qianjiang it is about 300 days or more, remaining essentially evergreen. This grass requires a fair amount of water for growth, but due to its well-developed root system, on highway slopes in Shaanxi it can reach 1.4 m in one year and as deep as 4.8 m in two years. Each square meter can have over a hundred lateral roots. It is also fairly drought-tolerant; generally, in areas with annual rainfall of 400-450 mm, it can grow normally even without irrigation. It is not tolerant of waterlogging; after being submerged for several days, its roots will rot and the entire plant will die. Crown Vetch is not demanding about soil and can grow in soils with a pH of 5.0-8.2. It grows vigorously and has strong adaptability. It is native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It has been used in China for over twenty years and in the United States for over seventy years. Crown Vetch has a well-developed root system and is used for highway slope protection in the northwestern region; it can reach 1.4 m in one year of growth and over 4.8 m in two years. Each square meter can have over a hundred lateral roots. It has good drought tolerance; generally, in areas with annual rainfall of 400-450 mm, it can grow normally even without irrigation. It prefers ample sunlight and is not very tolerant of waterlogging; prolonged standing water may cause plant death. It is not demanding about soil and can grow in soils with a pH of 5.0-8.2. Pests and diseases rarely occur.
Crown Vetch
Precautions:
Crown Vetch grows relatively slowly at the seedling stage. If slope erosion is not an immediate concern, with strengthened management and care, it can achieve over 80% coverage within six months. To help prevent soil erosion as quickly as possible, according to different construction times and site conditions, it can be mixed with grass species of the Poaceae family, which can cover over 80% of the ground surface within 40 days, while Crown Vetch needs about two years to completely "smother" the companion grass species and cover the ground. Once Crown Vetch covers the ground, it will remain green like a lawn for the long term, with bright flowers. Crown Vetch has been used on highways in Shaanxi Province for over a decade and has been extended to Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, and other places. It has been used on highways in the United States for sixty to seventy years, with good feedback from all sides.
Crown Vetch
Propagation Methods:
Crown Vetch is commonly propagated by seeds, and can be broadcast, drilled in rows, or sown in holes, with a seeding rate of 0.5-1 kg per mu. It can be sown in spring, summer, and autumn. Crown Vetch seeds are small and should be sown shallowly, so the soil should be finely prepared before sowing. The hard seed rate is as high as 70-80%, so seed treatment is essential before sowing. For a small amount of seed, soak in 15% sulfuric acid for 20-30 minutes before sowing, or soak in warm water at 70-80°C, let cool naturally, and soak for about 12-15 hours before sowing. For large quantities of seed, the seed coat is generally cracked using a rice milling machine before sowing. The germination rate is generally 40-90%, and some hard seeds will not sprout until the second year. Seedling growth is slow, so weeds must be removed in time; once successfully established, it can suppress weed growth.
Crown Vetch?
Main Value:
This species has purplish-red, showy flowers and can be used as an ornamental plant; besides being ornamental, it also has medicinal uses. Crown Vetch is a ground-cover plant with extremely strong resistance and soil-binding ability. It grows and spreads quickly, has strong coverage, and strong stress resistance. Its flowering period is long (full bloom from May to June; after full bloom, sporadic flowering in Qianjiang can extend to November). It can be planted extensively on slopes to prevent soil erosion. Crown Vetch can also be planted in patches in gardens and is a relatively good flowering ground-cover plant.