Bean Trefoil Care
Anagyris foetida
WARNING: All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are POISONOUS. It is a drought-loving Mediterranean shrub that grows in winter and goes dormant in summer. It smells unpleasant but has ecological value thanks to its late-winter flowering.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Not required, it fixes its own nitrogen and prefers poor soils.
- Pruning: After flowering, light shaping can be done if needed.
- General care: It is one of the rare plants that bloom in winter.
- Pests & diseases: No significant known problems.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient.
- Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
- General care: Observe its distinctive reversed life cycle.
- Pests & diseases: No significant known problems.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Pruning: Last chance for shaping pruning.
- General care: Seed pods begin to form.
- Pests & diseases: No significant known problems.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall; this is normal, as the plant prepares for dormancy.
- Pests & diseases: Leaf yellowing is not a sign of disease.
- General care: The plant drops its leaves completely and enters summer dormancy. Avoid watering.
- Pests & diseases: During this period, watering can rot the roots.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Leave the plant alone. It consists only of dry branches.
- Pests & diseases: The greatest danger during this period is accidental watering.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Do not disturb the plant.
- Pests & diseases: The soil must stay completely dry so the roots do not rot.
- Watering: Never.
- General care: Do not disturb the plant.
- Pests & diseases: The soil must stay completely dry so the roots do not rot.
- Watering: Never, do not water. The plant is in summer dormancy and is waiting for the first autumn rains.
- Plant protection: Not needed. It is hardy.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Pests & diseases: The greatest danger during this period is watering it.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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