Trifolium rubens

Prolific and beautiful, this wonderful clover produces its huge bright candles of crimson flowers from silver buds on 1-2' stalks; perhaps the most ornamental of all clovers. S-PSh/M

Denoting good luck, this easily cultivated perennial legume is quite ornamental. Bushy, upright clumps of signature tripetaled, medium green leaves, give rise to huge silvery buds, which open to become bright crimson candles of bloom. Borne on long stems, the soft flowers come in droves, and are choice for drawing bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Create a stylized meadow by planting it amongst Lupinus 'The Governor' and Pennisetum 'Hameln'.

A gorgeous plant that probably only remains obscure in gardens because of it happens to have the misfortune of sharing a genus with a couple weeds. But a weed this most certainly is not. A bushy perennial a foot or so tall with long stems (totally suitable for cutting) ending in big heads of flowers that are silvery fuzzy in bud before opening up to a vivid shade of magenta-red. None of the weedy characteristics of other clovers, but just as easy to grow. Zone 3.

A low, mound forming, deep rooted, Nitrogen fixing perennial found throughout most of Europe. Fat, silver haired, spikes of rosy-red flowers are borne above the dense mounds of deep green, trifoliate leaves. An epic filler amongst perennials or grasses where it supplies them with much needed Nitrogen without out-competing due to it's moderate growth rate. Very tough, tolerant of dry conditions once established and thrives in poor sandy soils. Cut down in Winter. A good cut flower. Highly underrated due to irrational fear of clover, T. rubens does not run and you can only hope it self seeds, perhaps also because like most great long lived perennials it takes several years to perform at it's best. Be patient.

An under utilized clumping clover with reddish-purple plumes to 18 inches tall. Drought tolerant and works for a cut flower too.