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Strawberry Clover
Strawberry Clover (Trifolium Fragiferum) is perennial clover that is similar to White Clover in growth habit. It has a large 3-leaflet green leaf and clustered, globular pink flowers that resemble a strawberry.
A perennial legume, Strawberry Clover can be used as a lawn grass alternative, as ground cover in orchards and vineyards. Strawberry Clovers properties lend it to being an excellent “living mulch” for vegetable gardens, vineyards, and orchards. As a leguminous and hardy plant, it is considered to be a beneficial component of natural or organic pasture management and lawn care due to its ability to reduce nitrogen leaching from the soil and out-compete weeds. For these reasons, it is often used as a green manure and cover crop.
Adapted to wet saline and alkaline soils, Strawberry Clover will also tolerate flooding and is the most salt tolerant clover available. Strawberry Clover has the ability to choke out most weeds and unwanted plant life in the area that it’s planted. The dense cover will also protect your land against erosion from wind, water and animal traffic.
Strawberry Clover is generally used in mixtures with grass and wildflowers to produce an alternative lawn for large areas. It can be planted on its own for smaller lawn areas. It has, in the past, been used principally as a pasture plant that is somewhat drought resistant.
Strawberry Clover develops a dense sod, and is very palatable for animals. It makes for a very nutritious meal for most grazing animals, can be used as hay, and also encourages birds, butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects to inhabit your property. Forage and seeds of strawberry clover are also used by big and small game and upland birds.
By planting Strawberry Clover you’ll have a greater chance of enjoying a complete and healthy ecosystem on your land.
Seeding rates:
- Lawns: 10 grams per square meter (1kg/100m2).
- Pasture: 1kg per square acre.
For more information see below for Description and Features to see if this grass suits you!
Description
Strawberry Clover, otherwise known as Trifolium Fragiferum derives its name from the Latin tres, “three”, and folium, “leaf”, so called from the characteristic form of the leaf, which usually, but not always, has three leaflets. Strawberry Clover is a legume native to Europe, Asia and parts of Africa.
See our Quick Guide to Strawberry Clover for further information.
Optimal pH: Clovers are known to tolerate acidic soils, but Strawberry Clover prefers neutral to alkaline soils with a pH between 6.0 – 8.0.
Sowing Tips: Ideally, sow seed into soft top soil or sandy loam. Broadcast the seed at, or very near, the soil surface and incorporate lightly with raking. To ensure best coverage and avoid seed wastage we recommend using an appropriate seed spreader for the size of your area. Soil must remain damp throughout the germination period of both seeds and must be maintained for at least 1-2 weeks after sowing, through irrigation or natural rainfall.
Optimal Planting Time: Mid-Autumn to early Winter in moist conditions. If irrigated, can be planted in Spring.
Germination: 7-14 days, climate and condition dependent.
Water: Strawberry Clover has good heat tolerance but needs moisture, although is slightly more drought tolerant than White Clover. It doesn’t tolerate drought conditions very well and needs summer rain or irrigation to thrive. It has the ability to tolerate some waterlogging.
Fertilising: Whilst it will grow more successfully in infertile conditions than other plants, it will not grow without a decent level of Phosphorus in the soil. Luckily, this can be addressed by using McKays Slow Release Fertiliser.
First Mowing: Once roots are established enough to withstand the mowing process.
Mowing Frequency: Strawberry Clover can tolerate close mowing and grazing.
Disadvantages of Strawberry Clover:
- The cons of Strawberry Clover generally centre around the fact that it has been bred for cool climates. While it’s a fantastic ground cover option for those in southern Australia, it won’t do particularly well in the subtropics and tropics.
- While somewhat drought tolerant, anywhere that experiences extended dry periods (i.e. most of Australia) will necessitate the irrigation of Strawberry Clover. It also tends to wilt in the heat, so areas that experience excessively high temperatures won’t be suitable for it.
- The other main con is its inability to repair itself. While it is thick growing and will feed a lot of animals, it does take a little while to recover. The same goes for clover that’s used as a companion grass in lawns – it might take a while to bounce back in high traffic areas.
Seed & package details: 100% Strawberry Clover Seed
Please note: This seed may be coated in Prillcote seed treatment. Batches may vary.
Ideal Usage: Lawn Alternative, Groundcover, Pasture crop, Nitrogen Fixation.
NOTE: Pasture Seed and Animal Health
When purchasing seeds through McKays Grass Seeds, the buyer acknowledges that McKays Grass Seeds is not liable for any animal health issues that may arise from our pasture seeds.
It is the buyers responsibility to contact a certified agronomist to ensure they are purchasing the correct seeds, in the correct quantities for their property, location and animals.
Where can I sow this grass in Australia? Areas 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Shade tolerance: Good
Daily Sunlight required: 4+ hours
Drought tolerance: Good
Frost Resistance: Excellent
Traffic Tolerance: Fine
Locations
Season
Warm season grasses thrive during the warmer months in Spring and Summer and may go dormant in cooler climates through winter.
Cool season grasses thrive during the cooler months in Winter
Seed information
Shade tolerance (Weather)
- Full Sun
- Part Shade
- Heavy Shade
- Full Shade
Drought tolerance (Weather)
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Traffic tolerance (Weather)
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Frost tolerance
- Poor
- Moderate
- Good
- Excellent
Average days to germination
- 2-3 Weeks
- 2-4 Weeks
- 3-4 Weeks
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Standard Delivery
Australia Wide (except Western Australia), at cost from Australia Post.
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If you are shopping for delivery to WA, please view our WA site here
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Excellent, simply overshowed on some bald spots in run down paddock. No prep nothing but hand threw, a week later we got a few days of rain off and on ... and now literally days later they are coming up.
Clover is growing. Is smaller than I expected but hope it will provide cover and not die off when no sun. Taking time to grow- bit early to do a review
Clover seeds came with a blue coating, which made it easier to sow the seeds. Just waiting now for them to germinate, but I'm looking forward to my new 100% clover lawn, which will be more drought proof & stay greener than grass because of its deeper root system. Plus, also good for the bees and as a bonus it puts nitrogen into the soil, so good for the soil too.
My order was delivered quickly. The quality of the seed was excellent. I’m pretty sure I had 100% germination rate and it was up in a couple of days. Can’t wait to see it flower for the bees
Well packaged and delivered, seeds coated to protect from insects
A P expected delivery 16 - 20 Sept
I bought this to initially help my grass seeds (Elite Backyard Blend) along - i sowed in autumn, but also because they're such wonderful looking flowers. I had excellent germination, and the chickens love it!
Photo is about a week after first mow.
