Description

Sainfoin Seeds for Bees and Pollinators

Create a thriving food source for bees with sainfoin seeds (Onobrychis viciifolia) – a traditional flowering plant loved by pollinators and valued by farmers and gardeners for centuries.

Sainfoin produces abundant nectar-rich pink flowers that attract honeybees, bumblebees and other beneficial insects. Unlike many plants, sainfoin continues to produce nectar even during dry weather, making it a reliable forage plant when other flowers struggle.

Its name translates from French as “healthy hay”, reflecting its long history as a beneficial plant for both livestock and soil.

Why Bees Love Sainfoin

Sainfoin is widely recognised as one of the best nectar plants for bees, offering a dependable food source throughout the growing season.

Benefits include:

• Highly attractive to bees and pollinators

• Nectar production even in dry conditions

• Beautiful pink flower spikes

• Long flowering season from late spring through summer

Planting sainfoin helps create a valuable habitat for pollinators while adding natural beauty to your garden or meadow.

Soil-Improving Wildflower

Sainfoin doesn’t just help bees — it also benefits your soil.

As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it naturally improves soil fertility by adding nitrogen back into the ground. This means healthier soil without the need for chemical fertilisers.

It is also:

• Hardy and drought-tolerant

• Low maintenance once established

• Perennial in suitable conditions

Planting Instructions

When to Sow

Spring or autumn.

How to Sow

Scatter seeds thinly onto well-prepared, free-draining soil.
Lightly rake the seed into the surface and gently firm the soil.
Keep moist until seedlings establish.

Where to Plant

Perfect for:

• Wildlife gardens

• Wildflower meadows

• Paddock margins

• Sunny garden borders

• Pollinator patches

Coverage

A 50g pack covers approximately 10m², making it ideal for starting a bee-friendly patch or enhancing an existing wildflower area.