About Coronilla varia L.
Coronilla varia L. (synonym: Securigera varia) is commonly known as crownvetch or purple crown vetch, a low-growing legume vine. It is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe, and is commonly used across the United States and Canada for erosion control, roadside planting, and soil rehabilitation. It has become an invasive species in many US states. Crownvetch grows 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) tall, and produces small clusters of 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) pink and white flowers from early summer to late fall. The Penngift variety forms mounds of pink flowers. Crownvetch is a tough, aggressively spreading plant that will crowd out neighboring plants in show gardens, but it is well suited to sunny banks. It can grow for decades with little to no fertilizing, mowing, or weeding, because its thick foliage blocks the growth of other weeds. When used as a ground cover, its deep, tenacious, complex root system and thick, fern-like leaves provide excellent erosion control. However, this legume has a very long germination period of about 6 months, and does not form full coverage until two to three years after planting.
