Melilotus officinalis
True Sweet Clover
Common names: Yellow Sweet Clover, Honey Clover, Bee Clover
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Melilotus officinalis is a biennial butterfly‑flowering plant that produces bright yellow flower heads from June to August, attracting bees and bumblebees in large numbers. In home and community gardens it is often used as a green manure: its deep taproot loosens heavy soils, and as a legume it enriches the soil with nitrogen. When dried, the leaves release a characteristic wood‑mint scent of coumarin, which has traditionally been used in herbal pillows and teas for tired legs. However, improper storage or mold growth can convert coumarin into a blood‑thinning substance that is hazardous to animals and humans, so dried sweet clover should be kept dry, mold‑free, and out of reach of small children.
Care instructions
Sweet clover prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with well‑drained, even calcareous soil and tolerates drought well. Sow in a broad spread from mid‑March (week 12) to May; a second sowing in August is possible. Cover seeds lightly with soil. In the first year the plant mainly develops foliage; flowers appear in the second year. After flowering, the plant can be incorporated as green manure or cut back. Regular thinning promotes stronger individual plants and better airflow. Water only during extended dry periods; soggy soil is detrimental to the deep roots.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lime-loving, lean, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?