What are the characteristics of legumes? Which species belong to the legume family? We introduce you to the most beautiful butterflies for the home garden.
With more than 12,000 species and around 420 genera, the legume family (Faboideae) is certainly one of the most species-rich subfamilies of the legume family (Fabaceae) , also known as legumes. It's no wonder, then, that there are numerous species of lepidoptera that can also be found in the garden. In this article, you can find out which characteristics distinguish the papilionaceous plants and which species are particularly suitable for garden design.
Characteristics of Peony Family
Numerous species belong to the Paphiaceae group - the variety of different characteristics and growth forms that can be found among the representatives of this group is correspondingly high. However, one feature that all Paphiaceae have in common is their symbiosis with nodule bacteria. These live in nodular thickenings on the roots of the plants and are able to collect nitrogen and pass it on to the plants. In return, the bacteria are supplied with nutrients and water by the plants. This symbiosis not only ensures that legumes can also grow on very low-nitrogen soils, but also makes them particularly interesting for horticulture: Since papilionaceous plants naturally bind nitrogen in the soil, they are ideal for green manure.
Another feature of the legumes is their unusual flower shape: the five-petalled butterfly flowers are particularly characteristic of the plants and were even decisive for their naming. The flower is symmetrical on two sides and consists of an enlarged petal called the "flag", lateral "wings" and two fused petals called the "boat". But it's not just people who enjoy the beautiful flowers of the papilionaceous plants - many species are also considered to be particularly bee-friendly.
Examples of legumes: The 15 most beautiful species
Lepidaceaeimpress with their enormous variety. It's no wonder, then, that it's easy to lose track of the numerous species of Paphiaceae. We have selected 15 examples of legumes that are particularly suitable for the garden.
1. Common broom
The common broom (Cytisus scoparius) used to be one of the most popular flowering shrubs in gardens. Unfortunately, the yellow lepidoptera is becoming less and less common, but it can shine with numerous advantages. The broom also thrives in nutrient-poor locations and impresses with its numerous flowers, which shine golden yellow from April to June. But the shrub, which can grow up to two meters high, is not just a great addition to the garden. Butterflies and bees are almost magically attracted to the butterfly family in the home garden.
With its unconventional fruits, the bladder bush (Colutea arborescens) always attracts curious looks. It is not for nothing that this butterfly family is often kept as an ornamental shrub. The swollen pods of the plant are really an original sight - however, they are also highly toxic and should not be eaten under any circumstances. But the flowers of the shrub, which is up to four meters high, are not to be scoffed at either: the golden-yellow butterfly blossoms adorn the bladder bush from May to August and attract numerous bumblebees and bees.
3. Colorful Crown Vetch
By the wayside, on fields or in quarries - the Variegated Crown Vetch (Securigera varia) can be found almost everywhere. The lepidoptera with its white-violet flowers doesn't look bad in the garden either. Its long flowering period - which lasts from the beginning of May to the end of September - ensures that the climbing perennial is used more and more often in the garden. Beneficial insects in particular are happy about this development: Since the colorful Crown Vetch has a particularly rich supply of pollen, it is one of the insect-friendly flowers.
Hardly any other plant can keep up with the Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) when it comes to the abundance of flowers: During the flowering period from May to June, clusters of flowers up to 30 centimeters long crowd together close to the plant and transform it into a veritable sea of flowers. Thereand again there is a second flowering in late summer. No wonder, then, that even beneficial insects such as bees are completely taken with the fragrant and nectar-rich lepidoptera. But even after flowering, the wisteria is extremely attractive: the feathered leaves of the insect-friendly climbing plant and its stable trunk, which can support the crown without additional climbing aids, make the plant a pretty sight. So that the plant can develop its full splendor, you should fertilize the wisteria. After flowering, the wisteria can be supplied with the Plantura organic universal fertilizer, for example, so that it also reveals its full potential in the next flowering.
5. Pea
People have been cultivating peas (Pisum sativum subsp. sativum) for almost 10,000 years - this makes this legume family one of the oldest cultivated plants of all . Even today, the annual, herbaceous plant is still cultivated in many vegetable gardens to harvest its green pods. But the pea should not only be reduced to its fruit, because the white butterfly flowers that appear on the plant from May onwards are also not to be despised visually.
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are a popular he althy snack for many. But few people know that peanuts can also be grown in the garden without any problems. In fact, the exotic lepidoptera also thrive in Germany if you look for a warm, sunny location and a loose, sandy substrate (e.g. a mixture of Plantura organic universal soil and sand). From May the peanut then shows its yellow butterfly blossoms, between July and September the coveted fruits develop. As soon as the peanut plants become wilted and brown, you can dig up the root ball and the fruit and then let them dry for two weeks. After that you can finally roast and taste the nuts.
7. Seed Sainfoin
Originally, the seed sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) was mainly used as a fodder plant for working horses. Today, the weed is becoming increasingly popular as an ornamental plant in addition to its use as fodder. Particularly dry, calcareous soils benefit from the cultivation of the sainfoin because it improves the soil in the long term. But bees and butterflies are also enchanted by the plant: in their main flowering period from May to Julythe flowers attract numerous beneficial insects. And people are also impressed by the beautiful plants - the old pink flowers are in large clusters and can be seen from afar.
8. French bean
Harebeans (Phaseolus vulgaris), like the bush or runner beans, can be found in many vegetable beds. Their great popularity is mainly due to the fact that garden beans are easy to grow, even for beginners. For example, the legumes hardly need any fertilizer and thrive in full sun as well as partially shaded locations. The well-known beans develop from the white flowers of the annual creeper, which - depending on the variety - can be harvested from the end of June. In particular, the high protein content of the beans makes them a he althy component in the kitchen. However, haricot beans should never be eaten raw, otherwise they lead to stomach and intestinal problems.
9. Common Pea Bush
With its bright yellow butterfly flowers, the common pea bush (Caragana arborescens) is an absolute eye-catcher in May in the garden and serves as a food source for beneficial insects. But the plant is also in demand as an ornamental tree the rest of the year. With its densely branched growth and feathery foliage, the deciduous butterfly family is quite impressive. Especially in autumn, when the pea bush presents its pea-like fruits in red and green tones, it is an eye-catcher in the garden. Unfortunately, unlike the pea, the fruit is not suitable for human consumption. Birds, on the other hand, like to use the pea bush as a food source.
10. Laburnum
With a height of up to seven meters, the laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides) is one of the larger legumes in the home garden. However, if you have enough space, you should definitely think about buying the plant: From May, the laburnum turns into a sea of fragrant, bright yellow butterfly blossoms. The panicles of flowers remain on the plant until June and make them an absolute eye-catcher in the garden. Pollinators are also infatuated with the legumes and like to visit them. However, since laburnum is considered highly poisonous, it should be planted with caution in gardens with children.
11. Coral Tree
With its striking red flowers that appear from July to September, the coral tree (Erythrina crista galli) is a real eye-catcher in the garden. The striking lepidopteran from South Africa reaches an impressive height of up to five meters in its homeland. In Germany, however, mostly smaller cultivated forms are cultivated as container plants, since the coral tree is generally considered to be sensitive to frost. However, with its overhanging growth and its easy overwintering, the coral tree proves to be an ideal container plant that can also be cultivated by garden beginners.
12. Black Locust
If you are looking for a tree that grows particularly quickly, you cannot avoid the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). The plant is in great demand when creating a new garden or for reforestation, as it can get along with almost any soil and is considered to be very robust. With a height of 12 to 30 meters and its umbrella-shaped crown (also often pronounced as a double crown), it is ideal for a single position. Its pinnate, deciduous leaves are particularly attractive. However, the robinia only reaches its full beauty after the sixth year of growth: then the tree shows its white butterfly blossoms from May to June. Pollinators such as bees love the rich nectar supply of the black locust and can often be found during flowering.
13. Red clover
With its violet-red flowers, the red meadow clover (Trifolium pratense) is one of the most beautiful types of clover. Although some gardeners call the plant a weed, it is actually a great addition to the garden. Butterflies in particular use the red meadow clover as a forage plant, but bees and bumblebees are also enthusiastic about the small clover. Its long flowering period from April to October makes the red meadow clover an extremely insect-friendly plant. In the garden, the red meadow clover can not only be cultivated on the flower meadow - as green manure it helps to improve the soil in the vegetable garden. It can also be used as a fodder plant for small rodents such as rabbits or hamsters.
14. Lentil
Lentils (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris) belonged to for a long timethe staple food in many households. Nowadays, however, only a few people grow lentils in their own garden. The lentils are a great addition, especially in areas with poor soil: the herbaceous plants thrive in well-drained, nutrient-poor soil - normal garden soil is too nutrient-rich for them. However, the gardener is rewarded in two ways by the lentils: from April to autumn, the lepidopteran produces purple to white-bluish flowers that are pretty to look at. From the end of August, the lentil pods can be harvested, which are in great demand because of their high protein content.
15. Perennial Lupine
It should not be missing in any cottage garden: The perennial lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is one of the most popular plants in perennial beds thanks to its pretty flowers and easy-care nature. But the lepidopteran family can now also be found as a neophyte on embankments and sparse forests. With a height of about 60 to 120 centimeters and the imposing flower candle, the lupine is a real feast for the eyes. Insects in particular appreciate the lupine very much: the numerous individual flowers serve as an excellent source of food from June to August.
In our special article we will show you how you can grow lupins in the garden.