Trifolium angustifolium
Trifolium angustifolium · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant trifolium angustifolium: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Fabaceae (legumes)
- Form
- Annual or winter herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous, trifoliate compound, narrow and elongated leaves
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April-June)
- Flowers
- Small pale pink to reddish flowers, grouped in dense spikes
- Adult size
- 20 to 50 cm in height
- Hardiness
- Good, hardy and robust plant
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and Southern Europe
Care
Exposure
Narrow-leafed clover thrives in full sun or partial shade. It prefers bright locations to develop a compact habit and beautiful flowering. A south or west-facing exposure is ideal in temperate regions.
Soil
This legume adapts well to poor and well-draining soils. It tolerates chalky, sandy or even rocky terrain. Avoid overly moist or compacted soils that promote root rot.
Watering
Water moderately after planting to establish the roots. Once established, the plant is very tolerant of drought and requires little additional watering, except during prolonged heat waves. Stagnant water should be avoided.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is necessary thanks to the legume's symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Conversely, excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowering. A compost application in spring is more than sufficient.
Pruning and maintenance
No formal pruning is required. You can pinch young plants in spring to encourage a bushy habit. After flowering, you can lightly cut back the plant or allow it to self-seed naturally if the climate permits.
Pests and diseases
This plant is very hardy and rarely susceptible to disease. In overly moist soil, damping-off or root rot may occur. Ensure good air circulation around your seedlings and avoid excess moisture. Pests are rare on this vigorous species.
Did you know?
Narrow-leafed clover, like all clovers, is an excellent green manure: when grown in fields or incorporated into soil, it naturally enriches the earth with nitrogen thanks to its root nodules. Historically, legumes like this species revolutionized medieval agriculture by enabling crop rotation without soil depletion.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Common broomCytisus scoparius
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- Common PeaLathyrus oleraceus
- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.