Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Herb/Forb
Life cycle:	Annual
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences:	Mesic
Plant Height:	12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Plant Spread:	18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Flowers:	Showy
Flower Color:	Red
Bloom Size:	1"-2"
Uses:	Groundcover Will Naturalize Good as a cover crop
Dynamic Accumulator:	Nitrogen fixer P (Phosphorus)
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds:	Self fertile Suitable for wintersowing Sow in situ
Pollinators:	Self Bees
Containers:	Suitable in 1 gallon Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous:	Tolerates poor soil
Conservation status:	Least Concern (LC)

Conservation status:

Common names

Crimson Clover
Italian Clover

Photo Gallery

Location: Northeastern Texas
Date: April 16, 2010

Uploaded by wildflowers

Uploaded by Chantell

Uploaded by piksihk

Uploaded by Calif_Sue

Uploaded by m33jones2

Location: Jacksonville TX
Date: 2020-04-02
#pollination #bees

Uploaded by Abigail

Location: Field jogging trail
Date: 2018-03-24

Uploaded by piksihk

Uploaded by purpleinopp

Uploaded by Calif_Sue

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-09-24

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Location: Vacant lot MS Gulf Coast
Date: 2019-03-30
#pollination

Uploaded by hiyall

Uploaded by molanic

Uploaded by molanic

Uploaded by Catmint20906

Uploaded by purpleinopp

Uploaded by vic

Location: Canoga Park, California
Date: 2007-05-02

Uploaded by Kelli

Photo Courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Used with permissi

Uploaded by Joy

Uploaded by Horseshoe

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-08-17

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Uploaded by m33jones2

Location: My garden in Gent, Belgium
Date: 2013-02-20

Uploaded by bonitin

Uploaded by molanic

Uploaded by m33jones2

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-06-24
blooming

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Location: Northeastern Texas
Date: April 16, 2010
Crimson clover has naturalized throughout much of North America

Uploaded by wildflowers

Uploaded by vic

Location: zone 8 Lake City, Fl.
Date: 2015-04-25

Uploaded by flaflwrgrl

Uploaded by flaflwrgrl

Uploaded by purpleinopp

Uploaded by purpleinopp

Location: Grantville, Georgia
Date: 2013-04-11

Uploaded by abhege

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-04-19

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Uploaded by m33jones2

Uploaded by m33jones2

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-06-10

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-05-17

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Location: Long Island, NY
Date: 2013-09-03

Uploaded by Newyorkrita

Uploaded by flaflwrgrl

This plant is tagged in:

Comments:

Posted by Horseshoe (Efland, NC - Zone 7a) on Feb 23, 2012 9:19 PM concerning plant:

Crimson clover, a fantastic "green manure" and much more.

Crimson clover is a great fall/winter cover crop, protecting the soil from erosion, offering nitrogen to the soil, buffers the soil temperature extremes helping to keep soil biota more active and, when turned under, adds to the tilth of your soil.

In addition to the above when crimson clover flowers it brings in the bees and other beneficial bugs which contribute to pollination and helps create a balance of diversity in the "bug kingdom", a much -needed environment.

Crimson clover seed is easily broadcast by hand or by a "whirly bird" type seed sower. Broadcast 30 to 60 days before your first frost/hard freeze for best results. Till or rake seed shallowly for best ground contact. Once established it will easily winter over in many zones.

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Posted by abhege (Grantville, GA - Zone 8a) on Apr 11, 2013 5:31 PM concerning plant:

We grow crimson clover every fall as a green manure and let it flower for the bees in spring then mow and till under. A very useful and very pretty plant!

Reply to this comment
Posted by Newyorkrita (North Shore, Long Island, NY ) on Sep 29, 2011 5:37 PM concerning plant:

Short lived in my garden. It grows, it flowers and then it shrivels up and dies. Pretty enough to be grown as a garden flower. I love the shape and color of the flower.

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Plant Events from our members
flaflwrgrl	On November 1, 2015	Seeds sown West field mid way from house.
flaflwrgrl	On April 19, 2015	Bloomed Blooming on the west side of the culvert right at the mouth of it.
flaflwrgrl	On November 26, 2014	Seeds sown Experiment. 5 lbs. inoculated seed from Outside Pride.
Catmint20906	On June 17, 2015	Bloomed
Catmint20906	On May 31, 2015	Plant emerged
piksihk	On May 15, 2018	Obtained plant Seeds from jogging trail
dnrevel	On February 27, 2024	Seeds sown Planted in sunflower row at home. Will need to see if they are bothered by rabbits. Will add spray to plantings when sprouts start to emerge: Mix warm water with dish soap, garlic cloves and hot sauce and spray your plants right before the sun goes down.
dnrevel	On February 26, 2024	Seeds sown Planted at Johnson Project grow with fencing, furthest north row inside next to the fence. Added fencing to protect from deer.
dnrevel	On August 28, 2023	Seeds germinated Growing. Hoping I might see a flower or two before the frost comes in October, however deer came and ate up the young plants. Evidently it's a favorite!
dnrevel	On August 15, 2023	Seeds sown At Johnson, Beds 3 & 4.
Retro67	On March 16, 2024	Seeds sown sewed on south faces with mix.
Retro67	On August 22, 2023	Seeds germinated Seeded South east hugel with crimson clover and vetch.

» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Clean seed by dave	Jul 9, 2013 5:29 PM	1

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Trifolium Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)

Trifolium
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)