Clover is one of those iconic plants that man of us can identify on sight but few of us think much about. It’s found around the world both as a native and as an introduced species, and it’s both loved and hated depending on location and application. There’s been a recent resurgence of interest in clovers as a lawn or landscaping plant, and while clover does have a place in both lawns and gardens there’s a lot to know about it first. So let’s dig in and learn a bit more about clover in lawns and gardens as well as a bit about the history and uses of this remarkable everyday plant.
What is Clover, Exactly?
As with so many plants we discuss in this blog, clover isn’t a single species but rather a collection of similar species and varietals we refer to by a collective name. All are members of the genus Trifolium which roughly translates from scientific Latin as “three leaves”, a reference to the iconic three leaflets that comprise a clover leaf’s shape. There are around 300 species of clover worldwide, most of which originate in Europe and all of which are native to Eurasia.
Clover species vary in size and features, but they are mostly low-lying plants typically 12 inches/30 cm or shorter in height. They are herbaceous—meaning that they have non-woody stems—and typically feature small, rounded cluster of flowers which may be red, purple, white, or yellow in color depending on species and circumstances.
Clover has a long history of cultivation by humans. Various Trifolium species were first domesticated over a thousand years ago for use as both food and as a soil-enriching cover crop. Clover species are technically legumes, meaning among other things that they add nitrogen to the soil thus improving soil health for other plants. Clover has a variety of other uses as well, feeding both humans and animals as well as providing a food source for pollinators like honey bees. Clover honey is still a popular kind of honey around the world, noted for a delicious floral flavor.
Growing Clover at Home—and Why We Should
In the mid-20th century, clover was a common sight in American lawns and gardens and with good reason. It promoted the health of the grass around it via nitrogen fixation and it filled in spaces where grass wouldn’t grown. It also encouraged mowing the lawn a bit higher, allowing for healthier grass and clover in equal measure. This was a workable system—it supported pollinators, added to the health of the soil, and simplified lawn care.
Things changed in the late 20th century, as clover came to be viewed as an invasive in many lawns and much time and herbicide was spent working to remove clover. That was a shame, as clover adds both visual interest to a lawn while helping to support its health as we mentioned above. Thankfully things have changed again, and homeowners and landscapers are showing renewed interest in clover as a lawn plant alongside or even instead of grass. White clover (Trifolium repens) is the species most commonly used in lawns and landscapes, but red clovers are also used depending on local conditions. Yes, this is one of those moments when we recommend consulting with your local cooperative extension or garden club to find out what works best where you live. Clover is best planted in the early spring so that it has time to establish a good root system before the hot weather hits. Some folks seed folks in fall, but we have less experience with that here at the Gardzen Test Gardens so please consult a local expert for advice on your particular conditions. Trifolium species likes moist soil and will tolerate partial shade. It will tolerate some foot traffic as well, but it’s best planted away from walkways or paths. It is, however, a remarkably safe plant and is edible for both humans and animals. Take care not to confuse clover with the physically similar Oxalis species, however, which may be toxic to both people and pets.
For our patio and container gardeners: yes, clover grows well in containers and can be an interesting indoor plant given the right conditions and care. One of the fun things about growing clover indoor is that you can explore different varietals and let the greens and flowers get much taller, creating an interesting visual especially when grown alongside other container plants of different heights.
A Return To Clover
Clover (Trifolium spp) is an ancient plant which has a long history with humans. While it did fall out of vogue for a while, it returning and we vote that this time we embrace it and keep it around. Whether as ground cover, a feature in a pollinator garden, or as a landscaping feature or container plant, clover is a lovely addition to any garden space. If you have the time or the interest, seeding your lawn, landscape, or just a container or two with clover might be a great move for both you and the bees!
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