White clover Trifolium repens 'Isabella' (PBR)
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Isabella' is a variety of white clover and presents a charming ground cover appearance. Distinctive for its lush green foliage, this plant features a dense mat of small, trifoliate leaves. Each leaf traditionally consists of three oval-shaped leaflets, which occasionally display a pale, creamy-white to light green chevron that adds a subtle variegation. Throughout the growing season, 'Isabella' is adorned with small, globular flower heads that bear a profusion of tiny, white blossoms. These delicate flowers are often frequented by bees and butterflies, adding a dynamic and animate dimension to its allure. The overall visual presentation of 'Isabella' is one of a low-growing and spreading tapestry, contributing a textured green expanse to gardens and landscapes. Its charm is not only in the detail of leaf and flower but also in its function as a living carpet, providing a soft, natural ground cover.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae
Synonyms
Isabella White Clover
Common names
Trifolium repens 'Isabella' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
White clover is generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting the plant is unlikely to cause serious poisoning. However, some individuals may have allergic reactions or suffer from mild gastrointestinal upset if they consume large quantities of this plant.
To pets
White clover is also considered non-toxic to pets. It is unlikely to cause poisoning in animals when ingested in normal amounts. However, pets with a particular sensitivity or those that overindulge may experience mild digestive discomfort.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Creeper
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Drought Tolerance: Once established, White Clover 'Isabella' is drought-resistant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: This variety typically requires less mowing and fertilization than traditional lawn grasses.
- Nitrogen Fixation: As a legume, it fixes nitrogen from the air, improving soil fertility naturally without additional fertilizers.
- Erosion Control: The plant's dense growth habit helps prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the ground with its roots.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are essential for the health of the ecosystem.
- Lawn Alternative: It can be used as a low-growing ground cover or as a component of eco-friendly lawns, offering a sustainable alternative to high-maintenance turf grasses.
- Aesthetic Appeal: 'Isabella' produces small, white flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of a garden or lawn area.
- Tolerates Foot Traffic: It can handle moderate foot traffic, making it suitable for use in recreation areas or as a living lawn.
Medical Properties- Trifolium repens, commonly known as white clover, has been traditionally used in poultices for gout.
- The plant contains compounds which have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.
- White clover has been used in herbal medicine to prepare teas thought to purify the blood.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- White clover is often used as a natural lawn alternative, providing a low-maintenance, drought-resistant ground cover that remains green even in the heat of summer.
- It's a favorite for creating wildlife-friendly gardens, as it attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with its flowers.
- White clover is utilized in intercropping systems in agriculture, taking advantage of its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil which benefits surrounding plants.
- This plant can be planted in orchards beneath fruit trees as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and preventing soil erosion.
- It can be used in a "green manure" crop rotation system, where it is grown and then tilled into the soil to increase fertility.
- Some creative gardeners use white clover to create eco-friendly, patterned lawns by planting it in specific designs that contrast the regular grass.
- It's included in pasture seed mixes to provide a nutritious forage crop for grazing animals such as cows, horses, and sheep.
- When dried, white clover can be used in the creation of natural or biodegradable materials and fabrics.
- It has been used in educational projects to demonstrate the process of nectar production and pollination to students.
- White clover can also act as a temporary cover crop in vineyards, maintaining soil health between rows of vines.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiWhite clover is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityWhite clover is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Luck: As a type of white clover, Trifolium repens 'Isabella' shares the common association with good fortune, particularly when one finds a four-leaved variant.
- Prosperity: White clover has been linked to abundance and prosperity, due to its rapid growth and the way it enriches soil.
- Fertility: Its vigorous growth and ability to propagate are symbolic of fertility and the proliferation of ideas or ventures.
- Protection: Clovers are sometimes considered to have protective qualities, warding off negative spirits or bad luck.
WaterWhite clover needs consistent moisture, especially during the first growing season. It should be watered deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth, about once every week or two, or more often in extreme heat. Apply approximately 1 gallon of water per square yard each time, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During rainy seasons, reduce watering accordingly, and always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering.
LightWhite clover prefers full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate light shade, but too much shade can reduce its vigor and flowering potential.
TemperatureWhite clover thrives in a temperature range of 50°F to 85°F. It is cold hardy and can withstand temperatures down to 0°F, but the ideal growing conditions are between 60°F and 75°F. Extreme heat above 90°F may cause stress to the plant.
PruningWhite clover benefits from occasional mowing or trimming to maintain its shape and encourage dense growth. The best time for pruning is in the early spring or after the plant has flowered to encourage new growth and prevent seeding if not desired. Generally, mowing every 3-4 weeks during the growing season is sufficient.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWhite clover 'Isabella' thrives in well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and perlite will enhance drainage and fertility. Adding slow-release fertilizer can benefit growth.
RepottingThe white clover 'Isabella' typically does not need frequent repotting. It can be repotted every two to three years or as needed if it outgrows its container or to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingWhite clover 'Isabella' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average atmospheric humidity conditions without any special requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with consistent moisture.
Outdoor
Plant in sun or part shade, ensure moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Trifolium repens 'Isabella' (commonly known as White Clover 'Isabella') begins with seed germination, which occurs in moist, well-drained soil, typically in spring or early summer. Upon germination, the seedling emerges, developing a small rosette of trifoliate leaves close to the ground. As the plant matures, it spreads out to form a dense carpet of foliage through stolons, which are above-ground stems that root at nodes. The next stage is flowering, where the plant produces white, spherical flower heads that attract bees and other pollinators during late spring to summer. Following pollination, these flowers turn into small pods that contain the seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy in late autumn or winter, reducing growth before resuming the cycle with warmer temperatures in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Trifolium repens 'Isabella', commonly known as white clover, can typically be propagated by seed. The most popular method is by direct seeding into the soil during spring or autumn. To propagate by seed, one would first prepare a fine, weed-free seedbed, ensuring that the soil is well-drained and has been lightly tilled. The seeds of white clover are sown at a rate of approximately 1 to 2 ounces per 1,000 square feet (28 to 56 grams per 93 square meters). After sowing, the seeds are lightly raked into the soil to ensure good seed to soil contact, which is essential for germination. The area should be kept moist until germination takes place, which typically occurs within two weeks under the right temperature conditions. It’s important not to bury the seeds too deeply as they require some light for germination.
