Choosing the Right Clover for Your Garden

Not all clovers behave the same way. The right choice depends on whether you want a low ground cover, a nitrogen-boosting green manure, or a pollinator plant.

White clover

Low growing and spreading, white clover makes an excellent living mulch in paths, orchards and between rows. It tolerates mowing and traffic but can spread into beds. Choose smaller-leaved varieties for lawns.

Red clover

Taller and deeper rooted, red clover produces more biomass and fixes more nitrogen. It is a classic green manure and pollinator plant. It is less suitable as a mown path cover.

Crimson clover

Fast-growing winter annual in mild climates, with striking crimson flowers. It suppresses winter weeds and dies back in spring, making it easy to incorporate.

Alsike clover

Tolerates wet, acidic and poor soils better than many clovers. Useful in difficult areas, but it can be invasive in some regions; check local guidance.

Subterranean clover

A low, self-seeding annual for Mediterranean climates. Excellent for pathways and orchards in dry-summer regions.

How to decide

• Need a low cover? White or subterranean clover.
• Need maximum nitrogen? Red clover.
• Need winter cover? Crimson clover in mild climates.
• Have wet, poor soil? Alsike clover.

Whichever you choose, sow at the right time, manage competition, and cut before seed set if you want to keep it tidy.