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Clover Lawn

GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
in Plants
One of the gardens shown on Gardener World [Live] Friday had a small clover lawn. Would you consider growing one instead of turf?
Drought tolerant/ inexpensive/ hard wearing/ attracts insects and flowers. Slower growing than grass too.

I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Along with daisies much of my "lawn" is clover as well as dandelions, plantain, etc.  Looks a bit rubbish at present as we have had no rain for ages but I wouldn't waste water on it and the various insects enjoy the flowers.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I think there are certainly some advantages in actually growing  from seed. A big improvement on dry grass.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    One of the presenters on Beechgrove was sowing a clover lawn this week, and l was interested in his comments about how hard wearing/drought tolerant it is. DDefinitely something l would consider if it was down to me  B)
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    edited June 2023
    Well, my lawn is tiny, about 13×15ft, and I've given up pulling the clover patch - I've even smothered it with a paddling pool for the last two summers, but it still grows, so I'm toying with the idea of letting it grow, but.. it's white clover and the bees like it - if the whole area was clover and bees, I wouldn't be able to lounge around on it for fear of lying on a bee, and I need to walk across most of it to get to anywhere. It's too small to cut paths through so I'm undecided.
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    I would absolutely want a clover lawn. I have, this year, been trying to establish it as green manure all over and everywhere - hopefully giving winter evergreen cover. I have had mixed success.  I will put down more seed in the autumn. I know it can offer nitrogen but I am not clear on much competition to gives to established plants. I'd like to use it over all the beds, if it won't stress out the perennials -  I am wanting to have much less bare earth.

    Red clover seems to be getting up to 50cm. I'm more interested in low-growing ground cover.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have grass, which is fine here, although I haven't been cutting as often, or as short [unlike some other folk] because it's been so dry. It has low growing plants like veronicas, clover etc as well, as they don't get cut by the mower, but if you go for a clover lawn instead of grass, it has to be the white one - red isn't suitable as it's far too big. More suited to a wildflower type area. 
    However, it also has to suit your site and your needs, so in your situation @Slow-worm, it may not be worth it. You could look at having the common daisy instead. We had a poster years ago who put photos on the forum of her 'lawns' which were superb. The garden was constructed of walled, raised areas - circular, and quite formal, and had all sorts of surrounding planting, but the raised areas which would normally have been grass/lawn were daisies. It was stunning.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    philippasmith2 said:
    Along with daisies much of my "lawn" is clover as well as dandelions, plantain, etc.  Looks a bit rubbish at present as we have had no rain for ages but I wouldn't waste water on it and the various insects enjoy the flowers.
    Sounds like  mine.  Works with 'No Mow May' too as seed sets and germinates, not just of the clover but other flowers too.  I harvest the red clover seeds and distribute them in bare patches around the lawn. 
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clover, self-heal, daisies, hardy cyclamen, plantain.  Who needs grass?
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited June 2023
    Whatever you grow, in the UK climate grass will dominate without lots of hand intervention.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    My lawn has various things in it.
    I am (when weather permits) overseeding bare patches and edges with grass seed and am adding micro clover.It is growing very well but currently having to water the newly seeded areas as no appreciable rain for 2 months.Seems to be growing OK.
    Have standard red and white clover in the lawn already.
    My hope is that in future years I can leave the lawn unwatered in dry spells!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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