Clover as a lawn/ground cover - Ask Extension
Which types of clover would be best to plant (hydroseed) half a mile distance from the ocean. We are looking for something that survives wet winter a...
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Clover as a lawn/ground cover #868792
Asked May 16, 2024, 6:53 PM EDT
Which types of clover would be best to plant (hydroseed) half a mile distance from the ocean. We are looking for something that survives wet winter and fairly dry summer. A pink or purple colored flower is preferred, white is also acceptable. Most important is durability to the elements.
Coos County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for your question. The following clovers are perennials recommended for your area:
- Strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum) (pink/red)
- White clover (Trifolium repens)
- Microclover (Trifolium repens var. Ripolina ssp Microclover) (white)
Here is some additional information about planting clovers as a lawn. According to Oregon State University Emeritus Professor Tom Cook (the person who developed eco lawns), "Clover, by itself, is not persistent enough to provide a functional lawn for more than a few years without regular overseeding. It is more drought tolerant than grass, but still needs to be irrigated. Clover should be mowed to look its best as a lawn cover and can tolerate normal wear." That said, it probably will need less mowing than a grass lawn.
The above clovers are also the clovers most often part of eco lawn seed mixes (grasses and broadleaf plants). Here is an Oregon State Extension article on eco lawns that may be of interest to you - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/ecolawn-less-work-water
Ecolawn mixes are available from sources like PT Lawn in Portland,https://ptlawnseed.com/collections/eco-and-alternative-lawns, and Nichols Garden Nursery in Philomath, https://nicholsgardennursery.com/products/northern-ecology-lawn-mix
- Strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum) (pink/red)
- White clover (Trifolium repens)
- Microclover (Trifolium repens var. Ripolina ssp Microclover) (white)
Here is some additional information about planting clovers as a lawn. According to Oregon State University Emeritus Professor Tom Cook (the person who developed eco lawns), "Clover, by itself, is not persistent enough to provide a functional lawn for more than a few years without regular overseeding. It is more drought tolerant than grass, but still needs to be irrigated. Clover should be mowed to look its best as a lawn cover and can tolerate normal wear." That said, it probably will need less mowing than a grass lawn.
The above clovers are also the clovers most often part of eco lawn seed mixes (grasses and broadleaf plants). Here is an Oregon State Extension article on eco lawns that may be of interest to you - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/ecolawn-less-work-water
Ecolawn mixes are available from sources like PT Lawn in Portland,https://ptlawnseed.com/collections/eco-and-alternative-lawns, and Nichols Garden Nursery in Philomath, https://nicholsgardennursery.com/products/northern-ecology-lawn-mix
