Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood' (Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood')

Botanical name

Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood'

Other names

Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood'

Genus

Trifolium Trifolium

Variety or Cultivar

'Dragon's Blood' _ 'Dragon's Blood' is a low growing, spreading ground cover perennial with variegated leaves of light green and creamy-white, splashed with blood red markings, and white flowers appearing briefly in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Spreading

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Colour

Foliage

Cream, Red, Light green in Spring; Red, Light green, Cream in Summer; Red, Light green, Cream in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood' (Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood') will reach a height of 0.12m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in any neutral soil in full sun. Trim back hard in midsummer to rejuvenate the foliage, particularly if they are beginning to look scruffy.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood' (Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood')

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood' (Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Wiseana cervinata

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

New Zealand pest mainly affecting pasture. Main pathway (potatoes) already prohibited and little likelihood of introduction by other means.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Trifolium repens 'Dragon's Blood' (Ornamental clover 'Dragon's Blood')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Wiseana despecta

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

New Zealand pest mainly affecting pasture. Main pathway (potatoes) already prohibited and little likelihood of introduction by other means.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/