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Key characteristics

Family: Fabaceae
Height: 12 to 18 in
Width: 12 to 18 in
Flower color: Deep purple to violet, often fading to blue tones with age
Foliage color: Medium green, compound leaves with oval leaflets that emerge bronzy and mature green
Bloom time: Early to mid spring
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Water: Moderate moisture
Maintenance: Low, remove spent flower stems if desired, allow foliage to remain until it naturally dies back
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 8
Wildlife: Bees, early-season pollinators

Groundcovers

Lathyrus vernus

Spring Pea

Lathyrus vernus produces upright clusters of pea-shaped flowers that open in shades of violet-purple and gradually soften to blue as they mature. The blossoms are held above tidy stems lined with paired, oval leaflets that emerge with a fresh green tone and form a neat, bushy clump with a refined woodland character.

Blooming in mid to late spring, this perennial is native to central and eastern Europe.

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Water

Moderate moisture

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Woodland Gardens
Under Trees
Pollinator Gardens
Borders

Companion plants

Cyclamen · Pieris · Brunneras · Blechnums · Acorus · Hellebores

Design tip

Plant this refined spring bloomer in generous drifts beneath deciduous trees where its flowers can bridge the transition from bulbs to summer perennials. Combine layered foliage, evergreen structure, and contrasting textures to create a woodland planting with graceful rhythm and lasting visual interest.