Trifolium repens ‘Atropurpureum’

Common Name: white clover 

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Fabaceae

Zone: 4 to 9

Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet

Spread: 0.25 to 1.00 feet

Bloom Time: May

Bloom Description: White

Sun: Full sun to part shade

Water: Medium

Maintenance: Medium

Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Colorful

Invasive: Where is this species invasive in the US?

Garden locations

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist soils in light shade, but tolerates full sun and dryish soils. Spreads aggressively by creeping stems.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Trifolium repens, commonly called white clover, is a dwarf, prostrate, mat-forming perennial which typically grows to 4" tall and spreads to 12" or more by stems which freely root along the ground at the nodes. Features trifoliate (3-parted), rich green leaves and globular, white flowers which bloom in late spring. Leaves and flowers appear on separate stalks from the creeping stems. Although native to Europe, this plant has naturalized throughout North America in lawns, fields and roadsides. Flowers are attractive to bees. White clover is a nitrogen fixing plant which is used in crop rotation. Also a good forage plant for livestock.

Genus name comes from the Latin name, from tri- meaning three and folium meaning a leaf because of the trifoliate leaves.

Specific epithet in Latin means creeping.

'Atropurpureum' is a dwarf cultivar typically growing to 4" tall and spreading by stems which freely root along the ground. Features 3-part leaves of chocolate-brown, each round leaflet edged with green. White flowers appear in late spring.

Trifolium repens 'Atropurpureum' - Plant Finder (missouribotanicalgarden.org)