Trifolium repens

Common Names

White Clover, Dutch Clover, Shamrock, Clover, Clover Grass, Common Clover, Honeysuckle Grass, Honey Stalks, Purple Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover

Summary

White clover is a perennial legume native to Europe and hardy in zones 3–10. It forms dwarf, prostrate mats with creeping stems that root at nodes, reaching 3–6 inches tall and 1–1.5 feet wide; leaves are trifoliate with a white crescent watermark, and white flower heads bloom May–June, attracting bees.

In cultivation it prefers full sun to partial shade with evenly moist, well-drained soils and spreads as a ground cover that naturalizes; propagation is primarily by seed. It is a nitrogen fixer and forage plant, but can be weedy or invasive in some regions, so should not be planted in Midwestern gardens.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 inches

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Semi-deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid growth; spreads aggressively via creeping stems; up to 18 cm per year (about 7 inches/year)

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Stolons, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators