Trifolium repens (Irish Shamrock) is a herbaceous flowering plant that is native to Europe and Central Asia. Irish Shamrock is drought and frost tolerant, easy to grow and has a wide variety of uses. The flowers and leaves are edible, the whole plant is used as green manure, it is used in traditional medicine, as livestock fodder and is an exceptional companion plant.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical climates.
Trifolium repens is also sometimes called White Clover, Dutch Clover, Purple Dutch Clover and simply Shamrock.
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Growth
Trifolium repens is a perennial herb that grows to a height of up to 10cm (4 inches) and a width of around 60cm (24 inches). Irish Shamrock is easy to grow from seed when allowed to soak for 12 hours prior to sowing. Can be grown as livestock fodder, companion plant among garden beds, in containers on balconies or as a groundcover as a lawn substitute.
In ideal conditions, Irish Shamrock begins to flower in between 50-70 days from sowing.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5-30°C / 23-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 10cm (4 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 60cm (24 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
50-70 days.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 12 hours and then 7-14 days at temperatures between 15-22°C / 65-70°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1700
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT TRIFOLIUM REPENS (Irish Shamrock)
Trifolium repens is commonly grown as a fodder crop as both a nutritious grass for livestock and and for improving the soil fertility. In smaller environments, Irish Shamrock can be used as a green manure to increase the soils nitrogen levels.
Irish Shamrock leaves and flowers are both edible and are used as a garnish or can be ground into a flour. The flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and are ideal companion plants for fruit trees and most vegetables for improving both pollination rates and soil quality.
In traditional medicine, Irish Shamrock is used to coughs, colds, fevers and gout and has also been used as an eyewash.
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