Plant, cultivate, propagate and more

Plant horn clover properly

So that meadowHorn clover If the intended task in the garden is fulfilled to your complete satisfaction, the following aspects must be taken into account when planting:

• In a sunny spot with sandy-loamy to gritty soil, dig small pits 25 cm apart
• If necessary, enrich the excavation with sand or fine chippings
• Unpot the water-soaked root ball, plant down to the lower pair of leaves and water

In order to plant a lotus species professionally in pots and balcony boxes, place drainage under the substrate to prevent waterlogging. To do this, spread shards of pottery or grit over the water outlet before the potting soil is filled. The planting distance may be 10-12 cm in the container, because here the long tendrils dangle casually over the edge.

care tips

The cultivated horn clover species defines the exact care program. We have summarized the linchpins in the cultivation of both hardy meadow trefoil and non-frost-resistant conspecifics for you here:

• Water regularly with normal tap water during growth and flowering
• Reduce watering during hibernation; do not let the root ball dry out
• Fertilize organically every 14-21 days from March to August
• Trim wilted flower stalks to encourage trefoil to rebloom
• Only cut the foliage when it has withered

Meadow trefoil is frost-resistant, so that the plant in the bed gets through the cold season healthy. Mediterranean species such as Canary trefoil or Crete trefoil spend the winter in a bright, cool room at 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. Adorns a balcony box or the hanging basket, the perennial also moves to a bright, frost-proof room for reasons of caution.

Which location is suitable?

In the sunny location, the floral performance of Hornklee leaves nothing to be desired. The more sun the leaves and flowers can soak up, the more intense the colors and longer the flowering period. Allocate meadow trefoil to a place in the sun-drenched rock garden, along the edge of the wood or in the wild perennial bed. Frost-sensitive species thrive in tubs, balcony boxes or hanging baskets on a south-facing balcony in summer or in a bright south-facing conservatory.

The right planting distance

Since meadow trefoil and other species usually thrive lying down and creeping, we recommend a planting distance of 25 cm. To green a larger area with the pretty perennial, ideally arrange 16 plants per square meter. If the distinctive pod clover adorns the planter, you are well advised with a distance of 10-12 cm, as long as the tendrils dangle decoratively.

What soil does the plant need?

First class permeability is the most important attribute for the right soil. Wiesen-Hornklee and colleagues thrive as deep roots and at the same time form offshoots. Too dense soil consistency could stunt growth. If you choose a location with humus-rich, fresh, moist soil, the ornamental plant leaves nothing to be desired. In pots and balcony boxes, a structurally stable pot plant soil from the specialist trade meets the requirements perfectly.

What is the best planting time?

The best time to plant meadow trefoil in the garden bed is in autumn, as the plant takes root quickly in the sun-warmed soil. If you miss this date, plant the small perennial outdoors in April/May when there is no longer any threat of ground frost. Cultivated in the traffic light, the window box or in the tub in the winter garden, Mediterranean lotus species can be planted during the entire vegetation period.

When is flowering time?

As a lush small perennial, common trefoil delights us in meadows and borders with a never-ending flowering period from April until well into autumn. If the species that are not winter-hardy, such as canary trefoil, find a home in the sheltered ambience of the conservatory, the flowers last for a similar period of time. This floral feat succeeds above all thanks to the remounting property. Cut out faded flowers, new buds will sprout in no time and initiate an enchanting rebloom.
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Properly cut horn clover

Meadow trefoil and its annual and perennial conspecifics have the ability to remount. Botanists use this term to describe those ornamental plants that can produce a second flowering. The targeted use of secateurs thus makes an important contribution to a long flowering period. How to do it right:

• Cut off the withered stems after the main bloom
• The foliage is not cut
• Either sow the second bloom or cut it short before autumn
• Cut woody subshrubs, such as Lotus berthelotii, by at least half in spring

The winter green foliage of perennial meadow trefoil will adorn the otherwise drab garden for many months to come. In early spring, cut off the withered leaves to make room for new shoots.

watering horn clover

Water meadow trefoil all year round as soon as the soil in the bed and pot dries up on the surface. Then the distinctive perennial retains its decorative foliage well into winter. If the cold season is characterized by frost, where it is freezing and not snowing, watering is essential on mild days. Since the plant prefers calcareous soil, the water from the tap can be used without any problems.

Fertilize horn clover properly

During the growth and flowering period, Meadow Horn Trefoil will gratefully accept a portion of compost outdoors every 14-21 days. Cultivated in balcony boxes or pots, commercially available liquid fertilizer meets all the requirements for a balanced supply of nutrients. Avoid giving nitrogen-rich fertilizers as these will only encourage leaf growth at the expense of bud abundance.

hibernate

Winter-hardy and frost-sensitive species can be found within the versatile plant genus. Therefore, find out exactly which horn clover species you are cultivating in order to take appropriate precautions. Things to watch out for:

• Cover frost-resistant meadow trefoil in the bed with leaves only in rough locations
• Cultivate Mediterranean species in planters and put them in before the first frost
• Bright and cool winters at a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius
• Water less and don't fertilize

The majority of the legumes require a cold stimulus to induce flowering. Ideally, the temperatures in the winter quarters range between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius.

propagate horn clover

The varietal propagation succeeds easily by dividing the root ball. Dig up the perennial in autumn. Placed on a firm surface, split the bale in half. At the new location, plant the segments in loamy-sandy soil, maintaining the previous planting depth.

Horn clover in the pot

The pleasing attributes of Hornklee come into their own in traffic lights or balcony boxes. The tendrils lying in the bed hang casually elegantly over the edge of the container, dotted with yellow butterfly blossoms. In a sunny location, planted in high-quality potting soil and provided with drainage made of potsherds, these care measures are required:

• Water daily as needed during summer drought
• Apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 14 days from April to August
• Rinse faded flowers regularly

Cut the plant down to the ground in autumn and carry the pot to a bright winter quarters. At temperatures of 5-8 degrees Celsius only enough is poured that the root ball does not dry out. Horn clover does not receive fertilizer.

Is horn clover poisonous?

Although horn clover is not one of the classic medicinal plants, like the distantly related fenugreek, the plant is still used in folk medicine from time to time. In addition to its primary use as a decorative small perennial for lush beds, colorfully blooming meadows and the obvious balcony, the lepidopteran acts as a rich fodder plant. There can therefore be no talk of toxicity in the case of horn clover. The leaves and flowers are only toxic to voracious snails.
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What types of horn clover are there?

The genus gives us more than 150 species that have flexibly adapted to a wide variety of habitats. Horn clover can also be discovered in lush meadows, on sandy coasts or in the cool high mountains. We have compiled some of the most beautiful types for you in the following overview:

• Horntrefoil (Lotus corniculatus): yellow flowers, single or double over innumerable leaflets; Growth height 10 cm
• Canary trefoil (Lotus berthelotii): creeping, evergreen, orange flowers, not hardy; Growth height 20 cm
• Spotted trefoil (Lotus maculatus): yellow-brown flowers above silvery hairy foliage; Growth height 10-20 cm
• Marsh trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus): ideal for permanently wet locations, yellow flowers in summer; Growth height 20-90 cm

Also a legume family and legume, fenugreek belongs to a different genus than horn clover. The reasons for this distinction are obvious. Fenugreek thrives as an annual, herbaceous plant and has enjoyed great popularity in folk medicine since the Middle Ages.

How do I get rid of trefoil in the lawn?

In meadows, borders and rock gardens a welcome butterfly and bee pasture, trefoil is not desirable in the lawn. Here the small perennial is considered a weed and is vehemently fought. Of course, repeated, deep mowing achieves the opposite effect, because this measure even promotes the growth of meadow trefoil. To put an end to the invasion:

• Small infestations with the weeder edit to remove the deep root
• Larger clover areas with the spade lift out and sow
• In the case of extensive spread, mow the lawn briefly, scarify, sand and fertilize

If you are dealing with a hardened trefoil colony, the specialist trade will have effective ones herbicides ready. The lawn weed killer Banvel from Compo or Anicon Ultra from Celaflor have proven themselves.
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How to grow fenugreek?

Anyone who follows the recommendations of the legendary healer, Pastor Kneipp, cannot avoid cultivating fenugreek. After Hildegard von Bingen praised the healing power of seeds, flowers and leaves, Pastor Kneipp triggered a renaissance of the annual herb and food plant. How to properly grow fenugreek:

• From March sowing in a sunny bed in rows 15-20 cm apart
• The seed approx. Sieve over 1 cm, press down and moisten with a fine shower
• Depending on the temperature, the germination time takes 1-2 weeks
• Water regularly and fertilize organically

Even the tender seedlings are used in the kitchen as an accompaniment to salads and soups. The leaves make a healing tea or a tasty vegetable. The seeds, which ripen in September, can be ground into a powerful spice or used as a poultice to relieve respiratory diseases.
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