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Herbaceous Perennial

Trifolium rubens

ruddy clover

A clump-forming bushy perennial to 60cm tall and wide with blue-green leaves comprising lance-shaped leaflets with tiny teeth and covered with silvery hairs. Flowers are held in pointed clusters up to 8cm long and open a dark red-purple from the bottom of the cluster

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Purple Blue Green
Summer Red Purple Blue Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in any soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to pea and bean weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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