Utah Milkvetch

Utah milkvetch is a low, ground-hugging native perennial with soft gray-green foliage and short clusters of pink-purple, pea-shaped flowers. It fits naturally in open, dry foothill plantings where gravel and mineral soil remain exposed. ## Form and habitat The [Utah Outdoors species guide](https://www.utahoutdoors.com/plants/families/pea-family/astragalus-utahensis/index.shtml) identifies Astragalus utahensis and describes its low radiating growth, rounded leaflets, pale hairs and pink-to-purple flowers. It associates the plant with dry sagebrush, grassland, mountain-brush and pinyon-juniper openings. [Kew’s Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:480393-1/general-information) accepts the species name, places it in Fabaceae and records its native range in the west-central United States. Utah Outdoors lists it as a foothills wildflower; local bloom timing varies with elevation and weather. ## Siting Use it in a sunny, open, well-drained setting that resembles its native foothill habitat. Avoid heavy irrigation and persistently wet soil; it is adapted to seasonally dry ground. Its modest, spreading form is suited to native plantings and rock gardens where nearby plants will not shade it out. ## Maintenance Once established in a suitable site, keep disturbance and supplemental watering low. Do not divide or prune routinely; allow the plant to maintain its natural low mat.