Trifolium rubens

Trifolium rubens, also known as Red Clover, is a beautiful wild species. This perennial clover is distinguished by its very ornamental, fluffy inflorescences, in the form of large elongated heads composed of many upright pink-purple flowers. It blooms in summer, at the top of leafy stems. Thriving in almost all climates, this very unique clover is ideal for borders and slightly wild slopes, as it keeps weeds under control. Its use is also very interesting in poor soils, due to its ability to loosen and enrich them with nitrogen.

The Ruddy Clover belongs to the large family of legumes and the genus Trifolium, which includes nearly 200 species found on all continents, except for Australia.  It is a perennial with a hard stump, native and widespread in southern and central Europe and Armenia, on hillsides and in woods, usually on limestone or clay soil. This perennial forms an upright and dense tuft, 20 to 60 cm (8 to 24in) high, expanding over time through its rooting stems that root at the nodes. The spectacular flowering takes place from June to August depending on the climate. The upright red-purple flowers are gathered in large oblong-cylindrical heads, measuring about 5 cm (2in) in height. Solitary or grouped in pairs, these heads are at the top of leafy floral stems that extend well beyond the foliage. The flowers open from the bottom to the top of the spike, creating a beautiful gradient of red to pink shades. The leaves are divided into 3 entire, narrow leaflets, strongly veined, with toothed margins, bluish-green in color. The fruit, a pod, contains seeds that easily self-sow in light soil.

Trifolium rubens is a very easy-to-grow perennial plant which is versatile and low-maintenance. Its natural charm works wonders in borders and rustic flowerbeds, and proves very useful in a rock garden or the top of a wall, highlighting a pathway, or covering a slightly neglected slope, for example in the company of Pennisetum villosum and the adorable Allium sphaerocephalon or within a very natural flowerbed, associated with Grasses, Sages,  Foxgloves. However, care must be taken not to associate it with small delicate or weak perennials, such as certain alpine plants that it would suffocate. It is valuable for bees and helps enrich the soil in which it is planted.