Gadenin日本語Get the appWhat the flowers look like
In late spring each plant sends up stems topped with elongated, tapering flower heads, made of many small pea-type florets packed together. The florets open from the bottom of the spike upward, so a head shifts from a pointed green bud through a half-open stage to a full crimson candle. Plants stand about 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm) tall, and a patch in full bloom is one of the brightest sights of the season.
A white-flowered form also exists. It has the same habit and the same tapering spikes, and mixes well with the crimson type for a softer look.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Flowering season | Late spring, ending as summer heat arrives |
| Flower | Tapering spikes of small crimson florets, opening from the base upward |
| Height | 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 cm) |
| Other color | A white-flowered form exists |
Why some plants do not flower
Crimson clover needs a period of winter cold to flower well. Autumn-sown plants that have come through winter flower freely. Plants sown in spring in cold-winter areas often stay leafy, or produce only a few late spikes, because they have not had enough cold. Too much shade and too much fertilizer also push leaves at the expense of flowers.
Making the display last
Each spike has a limited life, but the plant keeps producing new ones for a while if you remove the old ones. Cutting spent spikes stops the plant putting its energy into seed and extends the display. Once summer heat arrives the plants begin to yellow and finish whatever you do, because that is the natural end of a winter annual.
- Watch for browning at the base of the spike Spikes fade from the bottom up. When most of a head has turned brown, it is past its best.
- Cut back to a leaf or side shoot Snip the faded stem just above a leaf or a developing side shoot so new spikes can follow.
- Leave a few heads if you want seed If you plan to save seed, choose some of the best plants and let their heads ripen instead of cutting them.
Crimson clover as a cut flower
The spikes make charming small posies. Cut them in the cool of the morning when the lower florets have opened and the tip is still closed, and stand them in water straight away. Short stems suit small vases and jars.
Spikes cut while still fully green rarely color up in the vase. Wait until the lower florets are crimson before cutting.
A pollinator magnet
The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen and are visited heavily by bees, including honeybees and bumblebees, as well as other beneficial insects. That is one reason crimson clover is planted along vegetable gardens, under fruit trees and in wildflower mixes. Avoid spraying anything on plants in flower so you do not harm the insects visiting them.