Red Clover
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a native Irish wildflower and a common sight on disturbed and cultivated land. It can get quite tall and straggly - up to 40 cm tall - although it will flower closer to the ground if occasionally grazed or cut back. It doesn’t stand heavy or frequent grazing, however, so it’s great to see it bouncing back as our sites recover from their previous lives as cattle farms.
A member of the Fabaceae family, Red Clover is great for converting atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable form by fixing it in the soil, making it available for other plants to use. Its deep taproot means it’s resilient to periods of dry weather here in Ireland.
This short-lived perennial prefers moist sites but avoids the waterlogged areas, has slightly hairy leaves and stems, and gorgeous pinkish-red flowers that appear from May to October. Red Clover flowers are nectar-rich, and so popular with bees and butterflies.
We’re delighted to see it thriving in the wildflower meadow at Cloudforest One.
