Cretan Crownvetch
Coronilla cretica
- Native to:
- Albania, Bulgaria, East Aegean Is., Greece, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Coronilla
- Species:
- Coronilla cretica
- USDA Symbol:
- SECR8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained calcareous soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean rocky slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Seeds may benefit from brief hot water treatment or mechanical scarification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI