Sulla coronaria aka Sulla Coronaria

Sulla coronaria belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. It is a plant that bears flowers. It comes from the western and central Mediterranean. The climate there is subtropical. People call it French honeysuckle, Maltese clover, and red satin flower. Hedysarum coronarium is another name for the same species. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It is a herbaceous perennial, with soft rather than woody growth. Some plants may be biennial, living for two years.

The plant forms a bushy clump with upright flower stems. It often grows 3 feet (0.91 metres) tall and wide. Listed sizes reach 4 feet (1.22 metres) in both directions. Its leaves range from grey-green to medium green. Each compound leaf has seven to fifteen small leaflets. These have oval or round shapes. The leaves are odd-pinnate, with one leaflet at the tip. In hot, humid summers, the stems may lean or flop. The clump can thus look less upright as summer goes on.

The bright red flowers look like pea flowers. They grow in dense racemes, or clusters along a stem. These form at leaf axils, where leaves join stems. Their strong scent adds interest near paths and seats. Blooms appear in late spring and early summer. The listed bloom time is June to July. Bees visit the blooms, which also draw butterflies. The flower stems suit use as fresh cut flowers. After the blooms fade, yellowish seedpods form. They turn brown as they ripen. The pods have less appeal than the flowers.

Grow this plant in full sun, in soil that drains well. It prefers gritty, alkaline soil with a fair level of nutrients. It also copes with poor sandy or rocky ground. Its listed water need is moderate. It grows best with cool summers, including in the Pacific Northwest. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 3–7 for this plant. It needs little upkeep and grows with ease from seed. Trim taller plants after bloom to bring back their shape. This helps where summer heat makes stems lean. Cut stems to ground level after frost.

Use it in borders, cottage gardens, or beds for cutting. Groups also suit open woods and areas planted for a wild look. The red blooms add colour and draw insects. In parts of Europe, growers raise it for hay and livestock feed. This does not mean that humans can eat it. The supplied sources give no guidance on human food use or toxicity. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no serious insect or disease problems.