Partridge Pea is a charming annual legume that provides a fast-growing burst of color and significant ecological benefits to sunny sites. Reaching 1 to 3 feet in height, it features delicate, fern-like foliage that is sensitive to the touch, folding slightly when brushed. Throughout the summer and into early fall, it produces large, asymmetrical yellow flowers with a touch of red at the base. While these flowers do not produce nectar, they are a vital source of pollen for bumblebees and other large pollinators. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it naturally enriches the soil, making it an excellent 'pioneer' species for restoration projects. Its seeds are a high-quality food source for Northern Bobwhite and other ground-feeding birds, while its foliage serves as a larval host for several sulfur butterflies. Native to much of the eastern and central United States, Partridge Pea thrives in full sun and well-drained, often sandy soils. As an annual, it relies on self-seeding to return each year, so allow the seed pods to mature and shatter.

Quick facts

• Height: 1–3 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Medium to Dry
• Bloom time: Jul–Sep (Yellow)
• Life cycle: Annual
• Notes: Wild Turkey food, Legume, Annual, Sand
• Native range: Native to 35 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska

See the full growing guide and county range map for Partridge Pea