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White sweet clover

Name: White sweet clover
Brand: Akène
SKU: AKE-SEMENCES
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Common name White Sweet Clover

Latin name Melilotus albus

Quantity per packet Minimum 250 seeds

This nectar-rich biennial supports biodiversity while naturally improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. It is an excellent choice for ecological gardens and naturalized landscapes.

Product information

Product
identification

Common nameWhite Sweet Clover

Latin nameMelilotus albus

FamilyFabaceae

TypeBiennial flower

CycleBiennial

Quantity per packMinimum 250 seeds

Code produitAKENE-0057

Product
description

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus) is a robust biennial plant valued for its abundant bloom, delicate fragrance, and exceptional nectar production. Reaching 90 cm to 1.2 m (35 to 48 in) tall with a spread of 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in), it develops a light, elegant silhouette that blends naturally into wild gardens and flowering meadows. From July to August, its long clusters of white flowers brighten the landscape while releasing a subtle vanilla-like scent. Hardy and well adapted to Canadian growing conditions, this species combines ornamental beauty, ecological value, and the ability to thrive even in difficult soils.

Easy to grow, White Sweet Clover prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, including poor or low-fertility sites. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors in spring or autumn at a depth of 5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in). Temperatures between 18 and 20°C (64 to 68°F) encourage fast germination, usually within 10 to 15 days. This plant develops a deep root system that improves soil structure and helps it tolerate dry periods once established. It requires little fertilization, though a light application of compost at planting can support vigorous growth.

Ideal for pollinator gardens, flowering strips, and ecological restoration projects, White Sweet Clover attracts an impressive diversity of bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects with its nectar-rich flowers. It pairs beautifully with Yarrow, Wild Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, and Purple Coneflower to create dynamic, colorful naturalized plantings. In addition to supporting biodiversity, this legume helps enrich soil with nitrogen through its symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, making it an excellent green manure crop. Its rapid growth and strong adaptability make Melilotus albus a smart choice for greening and improving open spaces sustainably.

Sowing
guide

Sowing periodSpring or autumn

Best time

Spring or autumn

Sowing depth5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in)

Spacing / density

30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in)

Germination temperature18 to 20 °C (64 to 68 °F)

Germination time10 to 15 days

Propagation

Propagate by seed. This species readily self-sows when conditions are favorable.

Growing
method

Sow White Sweet Clover seeds directly outdoors in spring or autumn in well-drained soil. Light scarification may improve germination. Cover the seeds with 5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) of soil and keep the soil lightly moist until seedlings emerge. This fast-growing biennial develops a deep root system that improves soil structure. As a member of the legume family, it naturally fixes atmospheric nitrogen. It thrives even in poor soils and tolerates difficult growing conditions. Its abundant second-year flowering attracts a remarkable diversity of beneficial insects.

Soil
and care

ExposureFull sun to partial shade

Soil

Poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. This species adapts readily to sandy, gravelly, or light clay soils and tolerates challenging growing conditions.

Soil pH6.0 to 7.5

Watering

Once established, White Sweet Clover is drought tolerant and requires very little watering. Occasional irrigation is beneficial only during prolonged hot, dry periods.

Fertilization

White Sweet Clover requires very little fertilizer and grows well in poor soils. A light application of compost at planting is generally sufficient to support vigorous growth.

Care levelLow

In spring, thin seedlings to improve air circulation and encourage vigorous growth. During summer, occasional watering is only needed during prolonged drought. Remove spent flowers if you wish to reduce self-seeding. In autumn, the stems can be left standing to benefit wildlife or incorporated into the soil as organic matter.

Container
growing

Recommended pot size

30 cm (12 in)

White Sweet Clover can be grown in a large, deep container filled with a well-drained growing medium. Container growing allows gardeners to enjoy its nectar-rich blooms on patios or balconies while controlling its spread. Water moderately and ensure good air circulation around the plants. Even in containers, this species attracts numerous pollinators and enhances urban biodiversity.

Bloom,
harvest
and garden

Its fragrant blooms provide an exceptional nectar source for pollinators while naturally improving soil fertility. Its vigorous growth also greens open spaces quickly.

This nectar-rich biennial supports biodiversity while naturally improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. It is an excellent choice for ecological gardens and naturalized landscapes.

Garden use

White Sweet Clover is ideal for pollinator gardens, flowering meadows, and ecological restoration projects. It can be used as a green manure crop, a nectar-rich pollinator plant, or a transitional species for improving degraded soils. Its graceful upright habit blends naturally into wildflower meadows and naturalized landscapes.

Bloom period

Long clusters of white flowers produce abundant nectar highly valued by pollinators while adding a light, natural appearance to wild gardens.

Flower colorWhite

Foliage colorGreen

Harvest

July to September. Flowers and aerial parts are traditionally harvested during peak bloom.

Fruiting

Seed pods containing small seeds

Wildlife appealBees, butterflies, and pollinators

Size
and facts

Height90 cm to 1.2 m (36 to 48 in)

Spread30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in)

Growth rateFast

Hardiness zoneUSDA Zones 3–8

Minimum temperature-40°C (-40°F)

Foliage typeDeciduous

Papillonstrue

Insectes utilestrue

Planting
partners

Good companions

Yarrow, Wild Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower

Avoid planting with

Northern Blue Flag Iris, Marsh Marigold, Ligularia, Horsetail

Recipe
and inspiration

Young leaves may be used sparingly to flavor certain traditional recipes, while the fragrant flowers are sometimes used in herbal infusions. White Sweet Clover is best known for its long history in traditional herbalism. The dried flowers release a pleasant vanilla-like fragrance due to their natural coumarin content. As with any medicinal plant, proper identification and informed use are essential.

Frequently asked questions

When should I sow White Sweet Clover seeds? +

White Sweet Clover can be sown in spring once the soil has warmed or in autumn for natural germination the following spring. Both methods produce vigorous plants.

Does White Sweet Clover attract pollinators? +

Yes. Its abundant nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to honey bees, native bees, butterflies, and many other beneficial insects.

Does White Sweet Clover improve the soil? +

Yes. Like many legumes, White Sweet Clover enriches the soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with beneficial bacteria, making it an excellent green manure crop.

Can White Sweet Clover be grown in a natural garden? +

Absolutely. It is perfectly suited to flowering meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalization projects, requiring very little maintenance once established.

How can I limit self-seeding? +

Remove the flower clusters before seeds mature if you wish to prevent self-seeding. This simple practice also helps control the plant's spread in the garden.

The availability of our seeds varies depending on seasonal availability, production schedules and supplier inventory. Certain varieties may only be offered for a limited time based on their natural growth cycle, sowing period or available stock. These product pages are designed to help and inspire gardeners in choosing the right seeds for vegetable gardens, flower beds, pollinator gardens, container growing, naturalization projects and sustainable outdoor spaces.