Trifolium rubens

Trifolium rubens (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Fabaceae

Trifolium rubens is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Its mid green leaves appear in trees, each leaflet being lanceolate with serrulate margins, up to 10cm long and 2cm broad. Its red flowers appear as terminal cluster each flower being up to 15mm long. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread and fix nitrogen in the soil.

Trifolium rubens, commonly known as Red Feather Clover, is native to central and southern Europe. In its native habitat it grows in grassland, scrub and woodland.

Trifolium rubens Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Trifolium is derived from the Latin tres meaning ‘three’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’. Rubens is derived from the Latin rubra meaning ‘red’.

The landscape architect may find Trifolium rubens useful as an effective low growing perennial ground cover plant. It may be use as part of a prairie type planting scheme.

Ecologically, Trifolium rubens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Trifolium rubens prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Trifolium rubens requires little maintenance.