Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum (Spear pea)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum
Other names
Spear pea, Prostrate Canary clover, Badassi, Socarrillo
Genus
Dorycnium Dorycnium
Species
D. pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum - D. pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum is a compact, mound-forming, hairy, evergreen to semi-evergreen subshrub with pinnate leaves divided into five, narrowly lance-shaped, grey-green leaflets and umbels of creamy-white flowers from late spring into summer followed by reddish-brown seed pods.
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
Flower
Cream in Spring; Cream in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Silvery-grey in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at !%C in spring. Soak in hot water for 24 hours prior to sowing.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum (Spear pea) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, Conservatory, Coastal, City, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Protect in winter in cold areas. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost with grit in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum
Other names
Spear pea, Prostrate Canary clover, Badassi, Socarrillo
Genus
Dorycnium Dorycnium
Species
D. pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum - D. pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum is a compact, mound-forming, hairy, evergreen to semi-evergreen subshrub with pinnate leaves divided into five, narrowly lance-shaped, grey-green leaflets and umbels of creamy-white flowers from late spring into summer followed by reddish-brown seed pods.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Cream in Spring; Cream in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Silvery-grey in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at !%C in spring. Soak in hot water for 24 hours prior to sowing.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. pentaphyllum (Spear pea) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, Conservatory, Coastal, City, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Protect in winter in cold areas. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost with grit in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer Thomas Hoblyn. The Dubai Majlis Garden is inspired by the celebrated multiculturalism of the Emirate of Dubai, where more than 3 million people from over 200… read more
By garden designer Sarah Price. The design for ‘The M&G Garden’ 2018 is a romanticised haven which expands on an idea that a wall, tree and seat can create a quiet and intimate… read more
The M&G Garden 2017 takes inspiration from the unique Mediterranean landscape of Malta and shows how natural landscapes can survive even in the most mineral of environments. read more
The Telegraph is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Sturgeon as designer of The Telegraph Garden at the 2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login