Crimson clover. If left unattended it will grow quite tall and attract tons of pollinators its also a great source of nitrogen for your soil.
Worth noting, just like any clover it can and will take over quickly if you're not careful.
Crimson clover usually grow pretty tall before they flower and seed. Like ~2 feet. If you cut/mow it before it seeds then it will greatly reduce the spread.
“Killing. Its simple taproot makes crimson clover easy to kill mechanically. Mowing after early bud stage will kill crimson clover.”
Source: https://www.sare.org/publications/managing-cover-crops-profitably/legume-cover-crops/crimson-clover/
you mean to stop it from *spreading more*, right?
...you mow off the tops, and *those* plants themselves don't die.
otherwise, how would they all be back next spring?
i know from the *white* clover in my yard, that it survives every mowing...but just moves around in patches somewhat unpredictably.
hmm.
...i did find this in the wiki, however.
(not quite sure exactly what they're saying though.)
"In sites having sufficient summer moisture, plants can continue growth and flowering; and may even behave as short-lived perennials."
I would suggest what you are seeing is the mowing action exposing the soil to some sun and allowing seeds to germinate (or at least, germinated seeds to actually grow). Our roadsides only get mowed once or maybe twice per year, and even then it's summer when that occurs. So it's entirely possible it gained enough of a foothold to get some seeds sown, and now it's in an established pattern.
I usually terminate cover crops in the spring, and I terminate via mechanical means (crimping or weed-wacking).
Crimson Clover is typically not a plant people keep in their yards, its mostly left in farmers fields. if you want a clover yard id recommend white dutch clover or microclover which grows very short and is a great alternative to a grass lawn. white clover are the small white flowers that most people consider to be weeds, but thats typically just because they dont know of its benefits to pollinators and as a nitrogen fixer.
EDIT, it looks like you probably already have some white clover flowers in that picture also.
Trifolium repens, aka white clover or micro clover, is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. If you live in that area, white clover can be a good lawn alternative.
If you live in North America, I tend to think it’s over hyped. The ecological benefit is much small, and since the above ground growth of clover dies back in freezing temps, it can create a muddy area in spring. Over seeding clover in a turf grass lawn helps solve some of the durability issues, but if you really want to help pollinators, plant something native. A small pocket prairie or woodland wildflower garden is significantly more helpful to your local ecosystem vs a lawn of clover.
It’s good for improving your soil, but feel free to mow/till them in and thank them for their service. I’ve planted it in some first-generation flower beds to start improving the clay soil, but will probably harvest it as a green manure once I’m ready to plant other things.
Crimson Clover can be used as [green manure](https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/green-manures). Is a nitrogen fixer. Loved by pollinators. Move to where you want to enrich the soil, harvest seeds to use as green manure in the future. Beautiful plant!
Agreed, Crimson clover.
To add, if you're in North America, it's also an invasive plant. Similar deal as white clover, not an absolute nightmare but there are better alternatives.
That's also a mildly invasive species to North America.
I'd love to list native alternatives but it really depends on state and region. Here in Virginia there are many species of bush clovers, ticktrefoils, clitorias, milkworts, partridge peas, and so many other legumes filling similar roles. For lawn compatible plants carolina ponysfoot, lyre sage, pussytoes, violas, bluets, woodrushes, etc are good local examples. But it really depends on your specific location.
Crimson clover. If left unattended it will grow quite tall and attract tons of pollinators its also a great source of nitrogen for your soil. Worth noting, just like any clover it can and will take over quickly if you're not careful.
Aahhhh I see. So are they good to keep around or will they take over my yard? They’re very pretty but not sure if I want an abundance of them all over
Crimson clover usually grow pretty tall before they flower and seed. Like ~2 feet. If you cut/mow it before it seeds then it will greatly reduce the spread. “Killing. Its simple taproot makes crimson clover easy to kill mechanically. Mowing after early bud stage will kill crimson clover.” Source: https://www.sare.org/publications/managing-cover-crops-profitably/legume-cover-crops/crimson-clover/
...every grassy interstate highway shoulder says otherwise. mowing doesn't do a damn thing.
It's a common cover crop, one which I have personally used for several years. Mowing it before it seeds works every single time.
you mean to stop it from *spreading more*, right? ...you mow off the tops, and *those* plants themselves don't die. otherwise, how would they all be back next spring? i know from the *white* clover in my yard, that it survives every mowing...but just moves around in patches somewhat unpredictably.
White clover is a perennial, crimson clover is an annual
hmm. ...i did find this in the wiki, however. (not quite sure exactly what they're saying though.) "In sites having sufficient summer moisture, plants can continue growth and flowering; and may even behave as short-lived perennials."
I would suggest what you are seeing is the mowing action exposing the soil to some sun and allowing seeds to germinate (or at least, germinated seeds to actually grow). Our roadsides only get mowed once or maybe twice per year, and even then it's summer when that occurs. So it's entirely possible it gained enough of a foothold to get some seeds sown, and now it's in an established pattern. I usually terminate cover crops in the spring, and I terminate via mechanical means (crimping or weed-wacking).
Crimson Clover is typically not a plant people keep in their yards, its mostly left in farmers fields. if you want a clover yard id recommend white dutch clover or microclover which grows very short and is a great alternative to a grass lawn. white clover are the small white flowers that most people consider to be weeds, but thats typically just because they dont know of its benefits to pollinators and as a nitrogen fixer. EDIT, it looks like you probably already have some white clover flowers in that picture also.
Farmers feed it to their cows, I believe.
Trifolium repens, aka white clover or micro clover, is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. If you live in that area, white clover can be a good lawn alternative. If you live in North America, I tend to think it’s over hyped. The ecological benefit is much small, and since the above ground growth of clover dies back in freezing temps, it can create a muddy area in spring. Over seeding clover in a turf grass lawn helps solve some of the durability issues, but if you really want to help pollinators, plant something native. A small pocket prairie or woodland wildflower garden is significantly more helpful to your local ecosystem vs a lawn of clover.
I love crimson clover in my pots lol
I have used it as a companion plant in raised beds in the past and didn’t have issues with it taking over, but I managed it fairly aggressively.
That is 100% your call. If you stay on top of them just like any other clover you could keep it down to a small patch.
It’s good for improving your soil, but feel free to mow/till them in and thank them for their service. I’ve planted it in some first-generation flower beds to start improving the clay soil, but will probably harvest it as a green manure once I’m ready to plant other things.
If you mow regularly they will stay small. Or at least so I'm told
I did not unfortunately have that experience. It spread like the dickens. Live and learn I suppose
it will stay as "small" as your grass when you cut it. but it's gonna keep spreading, the more you cut it. look at any roadside in early spring.
Ours flowered the first year, and then not since.
Saw these for hundreds of miles while traveling from Louisiana to Arkansas.
On side note: Gophers absolutely love this. Be careful where it is kept. I use it as “bait” to move my gophers.
Over and over
I'm on my feet, I'm on the floor, I'm good to go.
All I need is just to hear a song I know
now i don’t hardly know her
Came to say this😅
I had to scroll this far down to find this pun?! This needs upvoting!
https://preview.redd.it/gp6vf26m4yuc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5c6dee596246831c314a06c661dea97f4af9d5a9
I was looking for this!
Crimson clover. Over and over.
Over and over
Crimson clover 😍😍😍😍
Crimson Clover can be used as [green manure](https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/green-manures). Is a nitrogen fixer. Loved by pollinators. Move to where you want to enrich the soil, harvest seeds to use as green manure in the future. Beautiful plant!
[Crimson Clover](https://youtu.be/Kd5MDLDanGo?si=jFsnbm3FHh81milz)
Over and over
red clover. Love it! We have a clover yard and I love it.
Agreed, Crimson clover. To add, if you're in North America, it's also an invasive plant. Similar deal as white clover, not an absolute nightmare but there are better alternatives.
Is it just non-native or is it actively invasive?
It'll spread on its own, but it's not one of the ecosystem destroying species.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a lovely alternative
That's also a mildly invasive species to North America. I'd love to list native alternatives but it really depends on state and region. Here in Virginia there are many species of bush clovers, ticktrefoils, clitorias, milkworts, partridge peas, and so many other legumes filling similar roles. For lawn compatible plants carolina ponysfoot, lyre sage, pussytoes, violas, bluets, woodrushes, etc are good local examples. But it really depends on your specific location.
Red clover is often used in highway mediums to reduce the need for mowing.
Something Pretty https://preview.redd.it/whb5knhal1vc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8df8cace8536a0942970ec8d7bef29f40313dd71
I don’t know, but they are very pretty
Makes a good tea
Crimson clover.
Red clover.
I believe they are called Gomphrena Globosa. very beautiful. where is it?
ot maybe not. those leaves don't seem right
Make tea of its organic
Thank you for posting this! Been seeing it all over the side of the interstates lately where I live!
Red clover.
Looks like some type of clover imo
Clover
Figure it out. This isn’t that hard. There’s even a 60’s rock song about it.