Bush clover is a plant that is native to parts of Asia and North America. It is a member of the pea family, and its flowers are typically pink, purple, or white. The plant is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Also called
- clover
- alfalfa
- trefoil
- meadow
- sweet
Good to Know
- Bush clover is a flowering plant in the pea family.
- It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America.
- The plant has pink or white flowers and is often used as an ornamental plant.
- Bush clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant, meaning it helps improve the quality of the soil.
- It is often used as a cover crop or fodder crop.
- The plant is also used in traditional medicine.
- Bush clover is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world.
- The plant can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Bush clover can be toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities.
- The plant is also known as sweet clover, cow clover, and honey clover.
Related plant:
Ornamental Bush With Yellow Flowers
How to Grow
- For bush clover, first step is to find a location where the plant will receive full sun to partial shade.
- The second step is to prepare the planting area by clearing away any debris and loosening the soil.
- Next, you will need to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plants root ball.
- Once the hole is prepared, you can place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil.
- After planting, water the area well to help settle the soil around the roots.
- For bush clover, it is best to mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Once the plant is established, you can begin fertilizing it on a monthly basis with a balanced fertilizer.
- To keep the plant looking its best, deadhead any spent flowers as they occur.
- In late fall or early winter, you can prune the plant back to encourage new growth in the spring.
- Bush clover is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but it will benefit from occasional deep watering during extended periods of dry weather.
Related plant:
Wild Rose Bush
Soil Condition
About soil condition, bush clover grows in a variety of different soil conditions. It can grow in sandy soils, as well as heavy clay soils. It prefers well-drained soils, but can also tolerate some flooding. Bush clover also does well in Poorly-drained soils.
About light
Just like other plants, bush clover needs sunlight to grow. Without sunlight, the plant will not be able to produce the food it needs to survive. Bush clover usually grows in sunny areas, such as meadows, open woods, and roadside ditches.
The Temperature
The temperature condition that is best for bush clover is a temperature that is not too hot and not too cold. Bush clover can tolerate a wide range of temperature conditions, but they prefer a temperature that is on the cooler side. Bush clover will not do well in a temperature that is too hot.
Humidity Requirement
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. So, make sure that the room in which you place your plant is not too humid or too dry. The leaves of the plant may suffer if the humidity is too low.
Fertilizer Requirement
Regarding fertilizer, this type of plant does not require a lot. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually burn the roots of the bush clover. If you do choose to fertilize, a light application of an all-purpose fertilizer in the spring is all that is needed. As for the roots, they are relatively shallow and easily damaged if the soil is tilled too deeply. Therefore, it is best to avoid tilling the soil around bush clover plants.
Light requirement
Pruning is an important part of bush clover care. Prune in late winter or early spring to control the plant's size and shape. Cut back the stems to the desired length, then remove any diseased or damaged leaves.
The Propagation
Propagation is typically done by seed, although root cuttings can also be taken. Sow seed in spring, after the last frost. To improve germination, soak the seed in warm water for 24-48 hours before planting. Root cuttings can be taken in fall or winter.
Growth Speed
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the amount of rainfall the area experiences. If the rainfall is adequate, the bush clover will grow quickly. However, if the rainfall is insufficient, the bush clover will grow slowly.
Common Problems
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot. These can all be controlled with fungicide sprays. Unfortunately, bush clover is also susceptible to Japanese beetle damage. The best way to control this is to hand pick the beetles off the plants and drop them into soapy water.
Tips on Growing
- If you want to grow bush clover, start by planting the seeds in well-drained soil in early spring.
- Choose a sunny spot for planting, as bush clover prefers full sun.
- When the seedlings emerge, thin them so that they are spaced about 6 inches apart.
- Bush clover does not need a lot of fertilizer, but you can give it a light feeding of compost or manure if you like.
- Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Clip off any dead or damaged leaves as they occur.
- In late summer or early fall, you can cut back the bush clover plants to encourage new growth.
- Once the plants are established, they will need very little care other than an occasional trimming.
- Bush clover is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, but these are generally not serious problems.
Alternative Plants
- Beebush (Osmarea americana)
- Bee bush (Osmarea americana)
- Genista tenera (Tenera bush)
- Genista epacridea (Epacridea bush)
- Genista epacrid (Epacrid bush)
- Genista pilosa (Pilosa bush)
- Genista acanthoclada (Acanthoclada bush)
- Genista arborea (Arborea bush)
- Genista cinerea (Cinerea bush)
- Genista anglica (Anglica bush)
Source:
Clover | Diseases and Pests, Description, Uses, Propagation
#470 Bush Clover Shopping - Florida Museum
Hairy bush-clover Lespedeza (L.) Hornem. - College of Agriculture ...
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
