Utah milkvetch
Astragalus utahensis
Utah milkvetch (Astragalus utahensis) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 8.0 of 10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listlow water6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Photos
- Photo 1: Mason Brock (Masebrock), Wikimedia Commons (PD)
- Photo 2: (c) Daughter Dad, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: The original uploader was Oys at Ukrainian Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 to 12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Utah milkvetch good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Utah milkvetch is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Utah milkvetch get?
- It matures to about 6 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Utah milkvetch?
- Space Utah milkvetch about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Utah milkvetch hardy on the Front Range?
- Utah milkvetch is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Utah milkvetch need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Utah milkvetch native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Utah milkvetch a good firewise plant near the house?
- Utah milkvetch is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Utah milkvetch bloom?
- Utah milkvetch blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
