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Melilotus Species, White Sweet Clover

Melilotusalbus

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Melilotus albus by Jeff_Beck
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Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Melilotus (mel-il-LOW-tus)
Info
Species
albus (AL-bus)
Info
Synonym
Melilotus alba
Melilotus albus var. annua
Melilotus leucanthus
Melilotus melanospermus
Melilotus vulgaris
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Biennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Prescott Valley, Arizona

Batavia, Illinois

Champaign, Illinois

Palmyra, Illinois

Iowa City, Iowa

Benton, Kentucky

Erie, Michigan

Berkshire, New York

Guysville, Ohio

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

The Colony, Texas

Troy, Virginia

Janesville, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

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2
positives
0
neutral
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negative
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F
F
Farmerdill
Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) | November 2006 | positive

An excellent biannual for addig nitrogen. Very good forage for bees. Usuable for hay, but more woody than Yellow Sweet Clover.

M
M
melody
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | June 2004 | positive

Widespread usage as pasture, hay and cover crops has allowed this lovely plant to escape into the wild. It's a polite weed that does not ...Read More

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