About
A creeping perennial that roots at the nodes. Between May and October, on long stalks, it bears rounded heads of creamy white flowers, sometimes with a hint of pale pink that fades to brown. Leaves are trifoliate - or four leaved, if you're lucky! Leaves have rounded tips and often bear a white mark. Valuable to wood mice, bumblebees and common blue butterflies.
About the genus
Trifolium are erect or creeping annuals, biennials and herbaceous perennials with trefoil leaves and small, pea-like flowers usually in clusters or short spikes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope
Care notes
CultivationNaturally occurs in grassland and rough ground, on a wide range of soils so long as the site is not too acidic or waterlogged. Used in agricultural herbal leys for its high protein content, and provides a drought-tolerant component in a flower-rich lawn. See clover in lawns for more information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceGenerally Pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free