White Clover
Trifolium repens
White clover is a very common perennial broadleaf weed found in lawns across Middle Tennessee. It grows low to the ground in a creeping manner, spreading via above-ground stems called stolons. It is easily recognized by its classic three-leaf structure and small, white, globe-shaped flowers that attract bees.
Interestingly, white clover is a legume, which means it has the unique ability to fix its own nitrogen from the atmosphere. Because of this, an abundance of white clover is often a primary indicator that a lawn's soil is deficient in nitrogen. While some people don't mind a little clover, it can quickly take over a weakened fescue lawn, creating uneven textures and attracting stinging insects where children and pets play.
How to Identify White Clover
- 1Leaves are composed of three small, rounded leaflets (occasionally four).
- 2Leaflets often feature a faint, white, V-shaped watermark or crescent in the center.
- 3Produces small, white to slightly pinkish spherical flower heads.
- 4Spreads rapidly along the ground, rooting at the nodes of its stems.
Treatment & Control
Because clover thrives in low-nitrogen environments, the first step in control is implementing a proper fertilization program to strengthen the surrounding fescue. For active clover infestations, selective post-emergent broadleaf herbicides are highly effective. Fall is generally the best time to treat white clover, as the plant is storing energy for the winter and will readily absorb the herbicide deep into its root system.
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