Thermopsis divaricarpa, commonly known as Foothills Golden Banner, Spreadleaf Golden Banner, Golden Banner or Bush Pea, is a perennial wildflower native to the western United States. It grows to about 1 to 3 feet tall and produces showy, bright yellow pea-like flowers from late spring to early summer. The plant thrives in open, sunny areas like meadows, hillsides, and forests, and prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. It is drought-tolerant once established and is often found at elevations between 5,000 to 11,000 feet.
Golden banner blooms from late May to mid-July with bright yellow pea like flowers. Each flower has five petals - a banner, two wings and two keel petals. In late June, curved pea pods start to form from each flower.
This species is in the legume family, making it beneficial for soil nitrogen fixation. Its native range includes only 4 states, those being:
Colorado
Montana
New Mexico
Wyoming
The seeds need scarification and will have a higher germination rate with stratification in order to germinate. This can be achieved by doing the following:
1. Lightly scarify seeds, by rubbing them between 2 sheets of sandpaper
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 12 to 24 hours before planting
3. Cold Stratification: Sow the seed outdoors in fall or winter (when temps drop to below 45 degrees and are expected to stay there or fold the seeds into a moist paper towel and seal in a ziploc bag and place in your refrigerator for 30 to 60 days. Then sow when temps are between 65 and 75 degrees
Perennial zones: 3-8
This is for 20 seeds
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SKU: TH5020
$3.80Price
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