Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Other Names:  Clover Fern, Pepperwort

Description:

An aquatic perennial presenting attractive, four-leaf clover like leaves that rise on stalks to water level or just above; great for pond edges, or water features; a spore producing plant that does not flower

Ornamental Features

European Water Clover's attractive fan-shaped compound leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning bluish-green in colour throughout the season on a plant with a spreading habit of growth.

Landscape Attributes

European Water Clover is a dense herbaceous annual with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

European Water Clover is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Water Gardens
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

European Water Clover will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is an excellent choice for very wet locations or locations with some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

European Water Clover is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.