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Trifolium repens

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Kemper Code:  M650

Common Name: clover
Zone: 3 to 10
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Europe
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May - June  
Bloom Color: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium


Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Where is this species invasive in the US?

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  Uses:       Wildlife:   Flowers:   Leaves:   Fruit:
Hedge Suitable as annual Attracts birds Has showy flowers Leaves colorful Has showy fruit
Shade tree Culinary herb Attracts Has fragrant flowers Leaves fragrant Fruit edible
Street tree Vegetable   hummingbirds Flowers not showy Good fall color   Other:
Flowering tree Water garden plant Attracts Good cut flower Evergreen Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1') Will naturalize   butterflies Good dried flower     Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist soils in light shade, but tolerates full sun and dryish soils. Spreads aggressively by creeping stems.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

White clover is a dwarf, prostrate, mat-forming perennial which typically grows to 4" tall and spreads to 12" or more by stems which freely root along the ground at the nodes. Features trifoliate (3-parted), rich green leaves and globular, white flowers which bloom in late spring. Leaves and flowers appear on separate stalks from the creeping stems. Although native to Europe, this plant has naturalized throughout North America in lawns, fields and roadsides. Flowers are attractive to bees. White clover is a nitrogen fixing plant which is used in crop rotation. Also a good forage plant for livestock. Repens in Latin means creeping.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Can be aggressive and is considered by many to be a lawn weed, particularly by those who try to eradicate it from their lawns. Was a favorite food of rabbits in the Kemper Center gardens.

Uses:

Ground cover, lawn substitute, meadows or prairies. Sometimes added to grass seed for lawns or grassy areas where grass alone does not grow and/or cover well.

© Missouri Botanical Garden, 2001-2010


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  High resolution image available.