Crimson Clover

Crimson clover is an introduced winter annual and herbaceous legume. The leaves and stems of crimson clover resemble those of red clover, but the leaves are round-tipped with more hair on the stems and leaves. Seedlings grow rapidly from the crown forming a rosette. Crimson clover will grow on soils of poorer quality than most other clovers, thriving on both well-drained sandy and clay soils. It does not do well in extreme cold or heat. The preferable pH range is 6.0 to 7.0. After seedling establishment, growth at lower temperatures is superior to other clovers. Crimson clover has been used for a cover crop as far north as northern Maine. The primary growing areas are the Southeast and southern Atlantic coastal states.