Showy Tick Trefoil (Potted)

Showy tick trefoil is a bold native prairie perennial valued for its vibrant pink-purple blooms and its role in supporting pollinators and wildlife. Offered as potted stock grown in root-prune pouches, it can be planted through the growing season when conditions allow, making it well suited for prairie plantings and habitat-focused landscapes.

Botanically known as Desmodium canadense, this species produces showy flowering spikes in mid to late summer that stand out in sunny plantings. It is native to the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest, where it contributes both ornamental value and ecological function across a wide range of landscapes.

Showy tick trefoil typically grows 3 to 4 feet tall with a spread of about 2 to 3 feet, forming a substantial presence in planting designs. It grows in part to full sun and can establish in a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, sandy, and calcareous planting areas, from drier sites to those with consistent moisture, when planted into a well-prepared site.

This species fits well in prairie restorations and meadow plantings where both structure and wildlife value are priorities. Monarchs, skippers, and native bees visit the flowers, while birds including goldfinches, sparrows, cardinals, wild turkeys, and ruffed grouse use the protein-rich seeds, making potted stock grown in root-prune pouches a practical way to integrate this ecologically-friendly native species into diverse plantings.