Trifolium repens 'Purpurascens' (Purple clover)

Botanical name

Trifolium repens 'Purpurascens'

Other names

Purple clover, Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum', Trifolium repens 'Purpureum', Chocolate clover, Black four leaf clover

Genus

Trifolium Trifolium

Variety or Cultivar

'Purpurascens' _ 'Purpurascens' is a vigorous, mat-forming, rhizomatous perennial bearing palmate leaves divided into three oval, maroon leaflets with green margins. Dense, rounded racemes of small, pea-like, white flowers bloom in summer.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Mat Forming, Spreading

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Purple, Green in Spring; Purple, Green in Summer; Purple, Green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Cut back hard in summer if foliage gets untidy.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Trifolium repens 'Purpurascens' (Purple clover) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Wildflower, Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Garden edging, Cottage/Informal, Containers

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, neutral soil in sun. Site carefully as may overwhelm slower growing alpine plants.

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 'Purpurascens' (Purple clover)

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 'Purpurascens' (Purple clover)

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 'Purpurascens' (Purple clover)

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/