Clover Selection Guide
by Dr. Don Ball, Extension Agronomist/Alumni Professor (Auburn University) and Dr.Garry Lacefield, Extension Agronomist/Professor (University of Kentucky) on behalf of the Oregon Clover Commission, Salem, OR
Matching Species Traits to the Situation
Clovers are wonderful plants that can contribute greatly to forage/livestock programs,to soil stabilization, and in other situations in which plant vegetation is desired. Benefits clovers can provide include improved forage quality, increased forage yield, biological nitrogen fixation, extension of the growing season, soil improvement, and land beautification.
However,the characteristics of clover species differ. Some are more tolerant of certain climatic conditions, soil conditions, and/or management regimes than others. Furthermore, clovers may also differ with regard to the particular benefits they provide (for example, if forage growth is desired at a specific time, one clover may be a much better choice than another).
Consequently,when planting decisions are made it is important to have in mind the traits of various clovers and then take care to select the one(s) best suited to the situation. This publication provides general information regarding a number of points that should be considered when deciding which clovers to plant.
Clover Selection: Guidelines
Annuals Versus Perennials
Annual clovers complete their life cycles within one year (i.e., plants emerge from seed, grow, produce seed, and die, all within a 12 month period). Annual clovers reproduce only from seed and not by vegetative propagation from roots or other plant structures.
If a stand of an annual clover is present in an area for more than one year without being replanted, it is due either to reseeding or delayed germination of previously planted seed. All annual plants present at any given time will die within a 12 month period.
In the case of many annual clovers, much of the seed produced in spring or early summer will germinate in the autumn of that year, but some may lie dormant until subsequent years. Delayed germination is due to “hard seed” which have a seed coat that must be broken down over time to allow water to enter the seed. The percentage of hard seed produced varies depending mainly on the clover species and variety, but environmental conditions also have an influence.
Perennial clovers also make seed, but (assuming environmental conditions and management are appropriate) individual plants can live more than one year. Thus, a stand of a perennial clover may contain recently established plants that are less than a year old as well as plants that are more than a year old.
In most situations in which clover is to be grown with a perennial grass, it is preferable to use a perennial clover (if adapted) rather than an annual clover. The reason is that annual clovers, which must come from seed each year, have more difficulty becoming established due to competition from grasses and other plants (especially perennial plants) than do perennial clovers which already have a good root system established.
In addition, the autumn forage growth of established perennial clovers is better than that of recently germinated annual clovers. However, in many areas in the South, perennial clovers will not survive the heat and drought of summer, and first-year growth of a perennial clover is normally less than that of annual clovers. Thus, there are situations in which use of an annual clover with perennial grass is preferable. This is especially true with warm season grasses being grown on droughty soils.
Geographic Adaptation/Time Of Planting
There is some use of annual clovers in winter rainfall areas of California and Oregon, but most plantings of the commonly used annual clovers (arrowleaf clover, ball clover, berseem clover, crimson clover, rose clover, and subterranean clover) in the United States are made in the South (Figure 1). In these areas, most prepared-seed bed plantings are made in autumn 4 to 6 weeks before the date of the first killing frost. When seeded into warm season grasses, they are normally planted near the expected date of the first killing frost.
Autumn-planted annual clovers are often grown in mixtures with annual ryegrass and/or smallgrain (usually rye, wheat, or oats) which provide more autumn and winter production. Annual clovers are not widely used in the northern United States, but some acreage of a few species is spring-planted in this area.
The most commonly used perennial clovers in the United States are white clover and red clover. These clovers can be grown throughout much of the nation (especially in the Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest) in areas in which there is a suitable soil pH, adequate fertility, and good soil moisture during most of the year. They can be established either in autumn or spring in many areas,with most plantings in the northern United States being made in spring, and a higher percentage of autumn plantings occurring the farther south one goes.
White clover and red clover are most commonly grown in combination with cool season perennial grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy, or smooth bromegrass. However, in the Southeast they can be a companion to certain warm season perennial grasses on sites that offer good moisture availability during much of the growing season.
Other Points To Consider
Soil conditions, expected climatic conditions, and grower objectives are important factors influencing which clovers will be the correct one(s) to plant in a particular situation. The following brief descriptions of various commonly grown clovers, together with the information in Table 1 can provide much insight regarding species suitability for various situations.
PERENNIALS
White Clover White clover, a true perennial, is the most widely-grown clover in the United States.Where adapted, individual plants often live for several years. Ladino varieties of white clover are usually most productive, but generally do not reseed well.Intermediate white clover types are better reseeders and more persistent, but usually are less productive. White clover is tolerant of close grazing, which makes it a good choice for many pastures, but it is not well-suited for hay situations. Though widely adapted, it is best suited to soils which have good moisture-holding ability.
Red Clover Red clover has excellent seedling vigor and larger seed than white clover, which facilitates drilling it into existing grass pastures. In many areas red clover plants can live for 2 years (and occasionally longer), but in the lower South it often acts as an annual. In areas where it is well adapted, it is the best-yielding clover species. It is often grazed, but is also well-suited for use in hay situations. It is not tolerant of continuous close defoliation; rotational stocking is best. Red clover requires good soil moisture, but is not as tolerant of wet conditions as white clover.
ANNUALS
Arrowleaf Clover Arrowleaf clover is a productive annual that makes most of its growth in late spring. It produces a high percentage of hard seed, which favors reseeding. The seed can germinate at lower temperatures than most annuals. It is usually grown in pastures, but can also be cut for hay (one cutting only). Arrowleaf/grass mixtures should be grazed enough to prevent the clover seedlings from being shaded by the grass. Arrowleaf clover requires well-drained soil.
Ball Clover This winter annual is sometimes mistaken for white clover, but the blooms are smaller and more rounded. Although it can be quite productive, ball clover has a shorter growing season and often yields less than other commonly grown annual clovers.It is a prolific seed producer even under high stocking rates, and a high percentage of the seed are hard seed. Thus, it is an excellent reseeder. The primary period of growth is early to mid-spring. Ball clover is best suited to heavy soils, but is surprisingly well adapted to fairly dry sites as well.
Berseem Clover Berseem clover is an annual which bears a superficial resemblance to alfalfa. If planted in autumn, most growth occurs in mid-spring. Within 100 miles of the Gulf Coast, it often produces more autumn and winter forage than any other clover,but because it does not have good cold tolerance, production declines as it is planted farther north. Rotational stocking is the best way to utilize berseem clover pastures. This clover does not reseed well due to a low level of hard seed production. Unlike most commonly grown annual clovers, berseem clover is quite tolerant of wet soils and also alkaline soils.
Crimson Clover Crimson clover is a dependable, productive annual which has larger seed and better seedling vigor than most clovers. Crimson clover makes more growth during cool weather than most clovers and is the earliest-maturing commonly grown clover species. Thus, in addition to forage production situations, it is often used as a winter cover and/or green manure crop. The showy crimson-colored blooms can provide a spectacular show in early to mid-spring. This clover should be planted on well-drained soils.
Rose Clover Rose clover has a growth habit similar to crimson clover, but has lavender-colored blooms and makes most of its growth in mid-spring. It is one of the most tolerant clovers to drought and low fertility conditions. The most hardy variety has similar winter hardiness to arrowleaf clover or crimson clover, but varieties often grown in western states are much less cold tolerant. Rose clover produces many hard seeds, and reseeding is often good. It is best suited to well-drained soils, and is most popular in certain low rainfall areas of central Oklahoma,north central Texas, and California.
Subterranean Clover Subterranean clover is a dense, low-growing annual best suited to areas having mild winters. It makes most of its growth in mid-spring. Subterranean clover does not yield as well as arrowleaf clover, berseem clover, or crimson clover,but can produce seed under heavy grazing pressure. However, success in obtaining reseeded stands varies depending on environmental conditions at seed maturation. Subterranean clover is more tolerant of low fertility and shade than most clovers. It is best adapted to medium and heavy textured soils with good moisture-holding capacity.
Final Thoughts
A good way to determine the usefulness of various clovers in a given situation is to simply purchase some seed and make trial plantings. Small test plantings are inexpensive and can provide much insight that can help with species selection decisions in future years.
However,it is important to make certain that any such test plantings give the clovers a fair chance. The soil pH and fertility needs of the clovers should be met, the seed should be inoculated with good quality inoculum of the proper type, and the seed should be planted properly at the recommended time, rate, and depth.
Varieties within a clover species can vary considerably with regard to yield, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and other factors. Thus, once a decision has been made as to which clover species to plant, selection of the most suitable variety can mean the difference between good and poor results, University variety trial reports are the best sources of unbiased variety information.
NOTE: This publication provides general information which applies in most cases. However, climatic, management, or other factors may result in exceptions.
Prepared by Dr. Don Ball, Extension Agronomist/Alumni Professor (Auburn University) and Dr. Garry Lacefield, Extension Agronomist/Professor (University of Kentucky) on behalf of the Oregon Clover Commission, Salem, OR.
The authors gratefully acknowledge reviews of this publication provided by: Dr.Gerald Evers and Dr. Ray Smith (Texas A & M University), Dr. Jimmy Henning (University of Kentucky), and Dr. Carl Hoveland (University of Georgia).
FAQs
Clover Selection Guide? ›
Crimson Clover Crimson clover is a dependable, productive annual which has larger seed and better seedling vigor than most clovers. Crimson clover makes more growth during cool weather than most clovers and is the earliest-maturing commonly grown clover species.
What is the best annual clover? ›Crimson Clover Crimson clover is a dependable, productive annual which has larger seed and better seedling vigor than most clovers. Crimson clover makes more growth during cool weather than most clovers and is the earliest-maturing commonly grown clover species.
What month do you plant clover? ›Plant clover in the spring or early summer, when the ground has become soft and moist from the spring rains. You may also plant in September or early October in most locations. Clover seed is very small, so you may want to mix it with lime or fertilizer to give you more substance to work with.
Can I just throw clover seed on the ground? ›You can plant clover by itself for ground cover, but it stands up better to foot traffic when combined with lawn grass. Only 5 to 10% by weight of tiny clover seed needs to be mixed with the recommended amount of grass seed to create a thick stand.
Which clover is better? ›White clover is the most well-known clover in the U.S. It's a low-growing, rapid spreader that easily outcompetes weeds and thrives in poor soil. It also produces attractive white flowers that pollinators adore. White clover varieties range from 4-8 inches tall.
What is the longest blooming clover? ›As we mentioned, the alsike clover has one of the longest bloom seasons among flowering perennials. It starts flowering in mid-April and continues in bloom until mid-September.
What is the longest lasting clover? ›Durana Clover
Expect this clover to live several years longer than other types in similar climatic conditions. With protein levels of 25% and digestibility of over 75%. Durana will tolerate acidic soils and is an excellent pure stand.
Clover is resilient, and its strength actually smothers other weeds. If your mower is tired of picking up those pesky, hard-to-kill weeds, clover may be the way to go. Growing clover does not allow room for typical lawn weeds to thrive, meaning the lawns you mow could be weed-free and beautiful!
Will clover come back year after year? ›Depending on the species, clovers may have an annual or perennial life cycle. Both annual and perennial clovers begin to germinate in fall when soil temperatures are in the 50° to 60°F range. Germination continues throughout the winter and early spring months.
How many years will clover grow? ›With an initially neutral pH a perennial stand can grow-on for eight to ten years or more. Perennials should be mowed periodically during the growing season (at least three times).
What are the disadvantages of growing clover? ›
- Clover requires periodic reseeding: Clover won't stay thick and green forever. ...
- Clover can spread to unwanted areas: One of the good things about clover is that it grows quickly.
Both types of clover are often planted from mid-February to mid-March, with mid to late February being preferred. The two most common recommended methods of planting are frost seeding or using a no-till drill. Some producer's interseed 1/3 of their pastures each year.
Should I soak clover seeds before planting? ›To start your sprouts, you will want to soak your seeds in a bowl of cool water for 4-6 hours, or overnight, making certain that seeds are submersed and not floating on top of the water. This will soften the seed coat and promote germination.
What is the easiest clover to grow? ›Red clover is one of the easiest legumes to re-establish in predominantly grass sods. This may be done in one of several ways, but the grass must be controlled until new clover seedlings become established. High seeding rates (10 to 12 pounds per acre) have resulted in better stands than lighter seeding rates.
How do you prepare soil for clover? ›Mow your grass at a low setting and gently raking out any built-up thatch. Then mix seed with sand, sawdust, fine compost, or soil, to make even distribution easier. Broadcast seeds over the planting area.
Which is better 3 leaf or 4 leaf clover? ›Finding a four-leaf clover is considered good luck because they are so rare. Only one in 10,000 clovers have four leaves, rather than three.
What is the hardest clover to find? ›"The reason that it's hard to find four leaf clovers is because the actual name for white clover is trifolium, which means three leaves," said Stecker.
What is the rarest clover to find? ›The gene responsible for four-leaf clovers is 'recessive', which means that the plant will only produce four leaves if it has the four-leaf gene on all four chromosomes, which is a rare occurrence.
What is the fastest spreading clover? ›Crimson prefers well-drained soils and pH between 5.0-6.5. Current varieties do not have good winter hardiness. It is the fastest growing of the annual clovers, easy to establish, and handles shade well - even the shade of other crops, like standing corn.
What is the fastest growing annual clover? ›Crimson prefers well-drained soils and pH between 5.0-6.5. Current varieties do not have good winter hardiness. It is the fastest growing of the annual clovers, easy to establish, and handles shade well - even the shade of other crops, like standing corn.
What kind of clover comes back every year? ›
Perennial Clovers
The perennial white clover, Trifolium repens, is most often found as a turfgrass weed, but it and strawberry clover, Trifolium fragiferum, are sometimes planted in a mixed stand with turfgrass to reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer application.
Annual clovers (arrowleaf, ball, balansa, berseem, crimson, Persian, rose, subterranean, etc.)
What is the best clover to add to lawns? ›1. White clover (Trifolium repens) White clover is a low-growing, hardy clover species and is the most common type found in lawns. White clover makes a great ground cover because it grows quickly and spreads fast.