Name: Showy Tick Trefoil, U.S. Native, Butterfly Host Plant
Brand: Firefly Farm and Mercantile
SKU: Firefly_Tick_Trefoil_50
Price: 3.00 USD
Availability: InStock

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Tulips - One of the earliest bulbs to be cultivated for gardens and the most popular today!  You can find varieties dating back to medieval times!

'Abba' Tulip Bulbs - The double red rose like blossoms will be one of your first tulips for spring. You'll regret not planting a few extra. Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Red Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 12” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October.

'Abba' Tulip Bulbs - The double red rose like blossoms will be one of your first tulips for spring. You'll regret not planting a few extra. 
Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
<ul>
<li>USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks)</li>
<li>Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)</li>
<li>Bloom Duration: 3 weeks</li>
<li>Cold Hardy</li>
<li>Full Sun</li>
<li>Bloom Color: Red</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Additional Information
<ul>
<li>Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting</li>
<li>12” tall</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. 
<ul></ul>

'Abba' Tulip (Double Early Tulip)

'Apricot Emperor' Emporer Tulip Bulbs are spectacular with thier apricot hued blossoms will light up your landscape. They provide a bit of whimsy and hold up well against spring rains and storms. They are longer and narrowing of a tulip. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Orange Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 16-18” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. Look for other great tulips we offer at Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com).

'Apricot Emperor' Emporer Tulip Bulbs are spectacular with thier apricot hued blossoms will light up your landscape.  They provide a bit of whimsy and hold up well against spring rains and storms.  They are longer and narrowing of a tulip. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
<ul>
<li>USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks)</li>
<li>Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)</li>
<li>Bloom Duration: 3 weeks</li>
<li>Cold Hardy</li>
<li>Full Sun</li>
<li>Bloom Color: Orange</li>
</ul>
Additional Information
<ul>
<li>Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting</li>
<li>16-18” tall</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October.  Look for other great tulips we offer at <a href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips" data-mce-fragment="1">Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)</a>.

'Apricot Emperor' Emperor Tulip Bulbs, Apricot Tulips

Big Smile is a wonderful brillant yellow tulip that belongs to the family of Single Late Tulips or French tulips. These tulips are often used in mass displays. It holds up well to all types of weather. Whether you plant a handful or a few dozen, every bloom will delight you. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 6 (they can be planted in warm climates if given a chill period) Late-season flowering (May) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 24” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. Looking for more tulip options, check all of them out here - Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Big Smile is a wonderful brillant yellow tulip that belongs to the family of Single Late Tulips or French tulips. These tulips are often used in mass displays. It holds up well to all types of weather. Whether you plant a handful or a few dozen, every bloom will delight you. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
<ul>
<li>USDA Zones 3 – 6 (they can be planted in warm climates if given a chill period)</li>
<li>Late-season flowering (May)</li>
<li>Bloom Duration: 3 weeks</li>
<li>Cold Hardy</li>
<li>Full Sun</li>
</ul>
Additional Information
<ul>
<li>Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting</li>
<li>24” tall</li>
</ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
<span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: #ffffff; color: #212b36; font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,San Francisco,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica Neue,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. 
<span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: #ffffff; color: #212b36; font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,San Francisco,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica Neue,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Looking for more tulip options, check all of them out here - <a href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips" data-mce-fragment="1" data-mce-href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips">Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)</a>

'Big Smile' Tulip Bulbs (Single Late Tulip)

Columbus Tulip Bulbs - Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Pink and White Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 14” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. Check out all of our tulip offerings at Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)

Columbus Tulip Bulbs - Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
<ul>
<li>USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks)</li>
<li>Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)</li>
<li>Bloom Duration: 3 weeks</li>
<li>Cold Hardy</li>
<li>Full Sun</li>
<li>Bloom Color: Pink and White</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Additional Information
<ul>
<li>Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting</li>
<li>14” tall</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. Check out all of our tulip offerings at <a href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips" data-mce-fragment="1" data-mce-href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips">Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)</a>
<ul></ul>

'Columbus' Tulip (Double Early Tulip)

'Disneyland Paris Emperor' Emporer Tulips are more of a double variety with their full orange and red hued blooms. . Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Orange and Red Additional Information Great for Mass Planting 16-18” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. Look for other great tulips we offer at Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com).

'Disneyland Paris Emperor' Emporer Tulips are more of a double variety with their full orange and red hued blooms.  . 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
<ul>
<li>USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks)</li>
<li>Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)</li>
<li>Bloom Duration: 3 weeks</li>
<li>Cold Hardy</li>
<li>Full Sun</li>
<li>Bloom Color: Orange and Red</li>
</ul>
Additional Information
<ul>
<li>Great for Mass Planting</li>
<li>16-18” tall</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October.  Look for other great tulips we offer at <a href="https://fireflyfarmandmercantile.com/pages/tulips" data-mce-fragment="1">Tulips (fireflyfarmandmercantile.com)</a>.

'Disneyland Paris' Emperor Tulip Bulbs, Mixed Orange and Red Tulips

'Double Early Mixture' Tulip Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Assorted Mixture, the picture is a representative but it can vary depending on what is selected at harvest. Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 10-14” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October.

'Double Early Mixture' Tulip
Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks)
Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)
Bloom Duration: 3 weeks
Cold Hardy
Full Sun
Bloom Color: Assorted Mixture, the picture is a representative but it can vary depending on what is selected at harvest. 
<ul></ul>
Additional Information
Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting
10-14” tall
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. 
<ul></ul>

'Double Early Mixture' Tulip (Double Early Tulip)

Sold Out - 'Double Flag' Tulip Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland. USDA Zones 3 – 8 (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks, this means the soil should be 55 degrees or below) Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location) Bloom Duration: 3 weeks Cold Hardy Full Sun Bloom Color: Purple Additional Information Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting 12” tall Key Planting Tips Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade. Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring. Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October.

Sold Out - 'Double Flag' Tulip
Double variety tulips are hard to find in an average garden but when you do, they make you stop as they are absolutely gorgeous and stand out. Use in rock gardens, containers, beds and borders or anywhere else you want to appreciate their peony or rose like appearance. 
Our bulbs are close to 5” in circumference ( 12+ cm) which makes them some of the biggest you can purchase and are sourced from Holland.
USDA Zones 3 – 8  (In warm climates they bloom if given a chill period of 6 weeks, this means the soil should be 55 degrees or below)
Early-season flowering (February- April depending on location)
Bloom Duration: 3 weeks
Cold Hardy
Full Sun
Bloom Color: Purple
<ul></ul>
Additional Information
Great for Naturalizing or Mass Planting
12” tall
<ul></ul>
Key Planting Tips
Plant in full sun, 4-6” inches deep with the tip pointing up. Space each bulb 4-6” apart. They will tolerate some shade.
Tulips have everything they need to get started, but you can place a teaspoon of bone meal in the soil before planting and use a low nitrogen fertilizer when the first leaves appear in Spring.
Our bulbs will ship to you in mid September to mid October. 
<ul></ul>

'Double Flag' Double Early Tulip (Double Early Tulip)

Tulips

🌸 Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense) The Pollinator Powerhouse and Soil-Building Beauty Introduce a grand display of color and ecological vitality to your landscape with the Showy Tick Trefoil. A champion of the North American prairie and woodland edges, this robust native perennial produces towering spikes of vibrant, pea-like flowers in shades of rosy pink and lavender. Beyond its striking appearance, it is one of the most hardworking plants in the garden—acting as a high-protein buffet for wildlife, a "host" for beautiful butterflies, and a natural fertilizer for your soil since it is one of nature's nitrogen fixers. 📜 Historical Heritage & The "Velcro" of the Woods The Showy Tick Trefoil is a proud North American native, historically found across the eastern and central United States and Canada. Its name "Tick Trefoil" comes from two distinct characteristics: the three-parted (trifoliate) leaves and its unique seed pods, called loments. These pods are covered in tiny, hooked hairs that act like nature’s original Velcro, hitching a ride on the fur of passing animals or the clothing of early explorers to disperse their seeds. Historically, Indigenous peoples recognized its value as a "soil rebuilder." As a member of the legume family, it was a vital part of the natural cycle that kept the Great Plains fertile for centuries. Today, it remains a cornerstone species for prairie restoration and sustainable meadow gardening. 🐝 An Ecological Engine: Benefits to Pollinators If you want to maximize the biodiversity of your garden, Showy Tick Trefoil is an essential choice. It is widely considered a "top-tier" plant for supporting beneficial insects: Bumblebee Favorite: The flowers have a specialized "tripping" mechanism that requires the strength of a bumblebee to open. Once "tripped," the bee is rewarded with a high-protein pollen and nectar feast. Butterfly Host Plant: It is a primary host for the larvae of the Silver-spotted Skipper and the Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies. By planting this trefoil, you are providing a nursery for the next generation of pollinators. Songbird Banquet: In the fall and winter, the protein-rich seeds are a vital food source for wild turkeys, bobwhite quails, and various songbirds. Nitrogen Fixer: Like other legumes, it works with soil bacteria to "fix" nitrogen from the air into the ground, naturally improving the soil for all neighboring plants. ✨ Product Highlights Show-Stopping Blooms: Dense terminal clusters of flowers that provide a "wall of pink" in mid-to-late summer. Hardy & Resilient: Thrives in a wide variety of conditions, from moist meadows to dry, sandy soils. High Biodiversity Value: Supports a vast network of bees, butterflies, birds, and soil microbes. Vigorous Growth: Reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet, making it an excellent backdrop for smaller wildflowers. 🛠️ Quick Growth Profile Feature Specifications Scientific Name Desmodium canadense Plant Type Native Perennial (Hardy in Zones 3–8) Height 3 to 5 feet Sun Requirement Full Sun to Partial Shade Bloom Period July through September Water Needs Moderate (Drought tolerant once established) Soil Preference Adaptable; prefers loamy, sandy, or gravelly soil 🌱 How to Grow Showy Tick Trefoil from Seed 1. Seed Preparation (Scarification):Like many legumes, the seeds have a hard, water-resistant coat. To improve germination: Scarification: Gently rub the seeds between two pieces of fine sandpaper to thin the seed coat. Soaking: Soak the scarified seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours before planting. 2. Sowing: Fall Sowing: Direct sow in late autumn. The natural freeze-thaw cycle of winter will break the seed's dormancy naturally. Spring Sowing: After scarifying and soaking, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Germination: Expect sprouts in 10–20 days. 3. The Best Spot:Select a location with Full Sun for the most prolific blooms, though it will handle partial shade well. Because it can get quite tall and bushy, give it plenty of room to expand. 4. Maintenance: Spacing: Thin seedlings to 18–24 inches apart. Support: In very rich soil, the plant may grow so vigorously that it requires neighboring plants or a simple stake for support. The "Tick" Factor: If you want to avoid seeds sticking to your clothes, simply prune the flower heads after they fade but before the pods turn brown and "sticky." 🎨 Garden Design Tip Showy Tick Trefoil looks spectacular when planted with other tall natives like Maximilian Sunflowers or Ox-eye Sunflowers. The pink-purple blooms of the Trefoil against the golden yellows of the sunflowers create a breathtaking, high-contrast prairie aesthetic. Garden Tip: Because this plant is so effective at fixing nitrogen, it is the perfect "green manure" for new garden beds that need a boost in soil fertility! 🌿🦋

<h2 id="🌸 Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)" data-line="0">🌸 Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)</h2>
The Pollinator Powerhouse and Soil-Building Beauty
Introduce a grand display of color and ecological vitality to your landscape with the Showy Tick Trefoil. A champion of the North American prairie and woodland edges, this robust native perennial produces towering spikes of vibrant, pea-like flowers in shades of rosy pink and lavender. Beyond its striking appearance, it is one of the most hardworking plants in the garden—acting as a high-protein buffet for wildlife, a "host" for beautiful butterflies, and a natural fertilizer for your soil since it is one of nature's nitrogen fixers. 
<hr data-line="5">
<h3 id='📜 Historical Heritage &amp; The "Velcro" of the Woods' data-line="7">📜 Historical Heritage &amp; The "Velcro" of the Woods</h3>
The Showy Tick Trefoil is a proud North American native, historically found across the eastern and central United States and Canada. Its name "Tick Trefoil" comes from two distinct characteristics: the three-parted (trifoliate) leaves and its unique seed pods, called loments.
These pods are covered in tiny, hooked hairs that act like nature’s original Velcro, hitching a ride on the fur of passing animals or the clothing of early explorers to disperse their seeds. Historically, Indigenous peoples recognized its value as a "soil rebuilder." As a member of the legume family, it was a vital part of the natural cycle that kept the Great Plains fertile for centuries. Today, it remains a cornerstone species for prairie restoration and sustainable meadow gardening.
<hr data-line="12">
<h3 id="🐝 An Ecological Engine: Benefits to Pollinators" data-line="14">🐝 An Ecological Engine: Benefits to Pollinators</h3>
If you want to maximize the biodiversity of your garden, Showy Tick Trefoil is an essential choice. It is widely considered a "top-tier" plant for supporting beneficial insects:
<ul data-line="17">
<li data-line="17">
Bumblebee Favorite: The flowers have a specialized "tripping" mechanism that requires the strength of a bumblebee to open. Once "tripped," the bee is rewarded with a high-protein pollen and nectar feast.</li>
<li data-line="18">
Butterfly Host Plant: It is a primary host for the larvae of the Silver-spotted Skipper and the Eastern Tailed-Blue butterflies. By planting this trefoil, you are providing a nursery for the next generation of pollinators.</li>
<li data-line="19">
Songbird Banquet: In the fall and winter, the protein-rich seeds are a vital food source for wild turkeys, bobwhite quails, and various songbirds.</li>
<li data-line="20">
Nitrogen Fixer: Like other legumes, it works with soil bacteria to "fix" nitrogen from the air into the ground, naturally improving the soil for all neighboring plants.</li>
</ul>
<hr data-line="22">
<h3 id="✨ Product Highlights" data-line="24">✨ Product Highlights</h3>
<ul data-line="25">
<li data-line="25">
Show-Stopping Blooms: Dense terminal clusters of flowers that provide a "wall of pink" in mid-to-late summer.</li>
<li data-line="26">
Hardy &amp; Resilient: Thrives in a wide variety of conditions, from moist meadows to dry, sandy soils.</li>
<li data-line="27">
High Biodiversity Value: Supports a vast network of bees, butterflies, birds, and soil microbes.</li>
<li data-line="28">
Vigorous Growth: Reaches heights of 3 to 5 feet, making it an excellent backdrop for smaller wildflowers.</li>
</ul>
<hr data-line="30">
<h3 id="🛠️ Quick Growth Profile" data-line="32">🛠️ Quick Growth Profile</h3>
<table data-line="33">
<thead data-line="33">
<tr data-line="33">
<th>Feature</th>
<th>Specifications</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-line="35">
<tr data-line="35">
<td>Scientific Name</td>
<td>Desmodium canadense</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="36">
<td>Plant Type</td>
<td>Native Perennial (Hardy in Zones 3–8)</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="37">
<td>Height</td>
<td>3 to 5 feet</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="38">
<td>Sun Requirement</td>
<td>Full Sun to Partial Shade</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="39">
<td>Bloom Period</td>
<td>July through September</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="40">
<td>Water Needs</td>
<td>Moderate (Drought tolerant once established)</td>
</tr>
<tr data-line="41">
<td>Soil Preference</td>
<td>Adaptable; prefers loamy, sandy, or gravelly soil</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr data-line="43">
<h3 id="🌱 How to Grow Showy Tick Trefoil from Seed" data-line="45">🌱 How to Grow Showy Tick Trefoil from Seed</h3>
1. Seed Preparation (Scarification): Like many legumes, the seeds have a hard, water-resistant coat. To improve germination:
<ul data-line="49">
<li data-line="49">
Scarification: Gently rub the seeds between two pieces of fine sandpaper to thin the seed coat.</li>
<li data-line="50">
Soaking: Soak the scarified seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours before planting.</li>
</ul>
2. Sowing:
<ul data-line="53">
<li data-line="53">
Fall Sowing: Direct sow in late autumn. The natural freeze-thaw cycle of winter will break the seed's dormancy naturally.</li>
<li data-line="54">
Spring Sowing: After scarifying and soaking, sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.</li>
<li data-line="55">
Germination: Expect sprouts in 10–20 days.</li>
</ul>
3. The Best Spot: Select a location with Full Sun for the most prolific blooms, though it will handle partial shade well. Because it can get quite tall and bushy, give it plenty of room to expand.
4. Maintenance:
<ul data-line="61">
<li data-line="61">
Spacing: Thin seedlings to 18–24 inches apart.</li>
<li data-line="62">
Support: In very rich soil, the plant may grow so vigorously that it requires neighboring plants or a simple stake for support.</li>
<li data-line="63">
The "Tick" Factor: If you want to avoid seeds sticking to your clothes, simply prune the flower heads after they fade but before the pods turn brown and "sticky."</li>
</ul>
<hr data-line="65">
<h3 id="🎨 Garden Design Tip" data-line="67">🎨 Garden Design Tip</h3>
Showy Tick Trefoil looks spectacular when planted with other tall natives like Maximilian Sunflowers or Ox-eye Sunflowers. The pink-purple blooms of the Trefoil against the golden yellows of the sunflowers create a breathtaking, high-contrast prairie aesthetic.
<blockquote data-line="70">
Garden Tip: Because this plant is so effective at fixing nitrogen, it is the perfect "green manure" for new garden beds that need a boost in soil fertility! 🌿🦋
</blockquote>

Showy Tick Trefoil, U.S. Native, Butterfly Host Plant

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Our mailing address is Firefly Farm &amp; Mercantile 27960 Market Rd, Cashtonm WI 54619 and our phone number is 608-632-5914

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<ol>
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&nbsp;

PRIVACY POLICY

If for any reason you are not happy with a purchase, please email us at andre@fireflyfarmandmercantile.com so we can assist.&nbsp; We do provide refunds up to 10 days of you receiving merchandise. We may ask for the product to be returned to be eligible for a refund. We do not do refunds for shipping unless it is something we feel we could have done better. Carriers often don’t deliver based on their own timelines but you can always pick up at our garden shop too. Unlike most online garden retailers we have a business location too, so come in out and visit our farm.

REFUND POLICY

Sometimes the products purchased may weigh more or less than the calculated shipping rate. We try our best to determine the weights based on current and past inventory.&nbsp; We do provide refunds proactively and will communicate accordingly. And in some instances we may need to contact you for additional payment if the shipping warrants it.&nbsp;
We try our best to offer the right services for you at checkout. If we see an opportunity for a more desirable service we will reach out to you. Please ensure we have a good contact number or email&nbsp; so we can do so.&nbsp;
United States Postal Service and UPS services go out Monday through Friday. This allows us to ensure we provide a quality product at a reasonable rate. Any delivery times are just estimates from the carrier once they receive the package. We cannot change this due to Shopify’s policy. I would if I could as it can lead to some confusion. We are a small garden shop and have very little pull with any carrier (and seriously who really does with USPS or any other). For the most part UPS timelines have been the most consistent. But there are not delivery dates but days your package will be in transit once we drop it off. In average we take 1-4 business days to fulfill orders and then the carrier’s approximate shipping times are added to that.&nbsp;

SHIPPING POLICY

We accept various forms for payment. Currently we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express as well as Google Pay and Shop Pay.
We strive to deliver on what we say we are going to do. Pre-orders are orders that are being taken without inventory on hand. The advantage is you get a great price, but sometimes crops just don't yield what is expected. We will use many different suppliers to fulfill your orders as best as possible. We won't substitute without your permission so please make sure you leave your best contact information so we can reach out to you. On occasion if unable to reach you, we will simply send the substitute product but you are welcome to call us once receiving it and letting us know you’d like a refund on it.

Showy Tick Trefoil, U.S. Native, Butterfly Host Plant

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