Micro clover is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners seeking a more sustainable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional turfgrass lawns. This plant is a specific, diminutive cultivar of the common white clover, Trifolium repens, selected to feature smaller leaves and a shorter growth habit. A common question arises regarding its interaction with local wildlife, particularly whether this modified plant will attract foraging pollinators. Understanding the ecological role of micro clover requires examining its appeal to insects.
Pollinator Appeal of Micro Clover
Micro clover does attract bees, as it still produces the characteristic white, globe-shaped flowers that offer both nectar and pollen. However, it generally draws far fewer pollinators than its traditional counterpart, the standard white clover. Micro clover is often marketed as a way to mitigate the risk of stinging when walking barefoot, while still providing some habitat benefit. While the plant offers nutritional rewards, the quantity and accessibility of these resources are significantly reduced compared to other flowering lawn plants. Honeybees and various species of smaller native bees will forage on the blooms, but the lower density of flowers means the lawn is not a preferred feeding ground.
The plant has been bred to prioritize a dense, low-growing leaf structure over abundant flowering. Traditional white clover flowers profusely, creating an attractive patch for foraging insects. Micro clover provides a lesser appeal, making it a marginal food source rather than a major one, especially when more rewarding plants are in bloom nearby. The reduced flower production is a direct result of the plant’s breeding to suit a manicured lawn aesthetic.
The Unique Floral Biology of Micro Clover
The reduced appeal to pollinators is a direct consequence of the physical changes engineered into the micro clover cultivar. Breeders selected for plants that remain significantly shorter than standard white clover, which can reach heights of up to eight inches if left unmown. This short stature suppresses the plant’s natural tendency to produce tall flower stalks.
The flowers that do emerge are typically smaller and fewer in number compared to the blooms of traditional clover varieties. Furthermore, the flower heads often remain nestled low within the leaf canopy, sometimes hidden by the smaller leaves. These features physically limit a bee’s ability to easily locate and access the nectar and pollen. The lower, less visible blooms require more effort from a foraging insect, which often chooses to visit the taller, more accessible, and more numerous flowers of other plants nearby.
Managing Bee Activity in Your Lawn
Homeowners who wish to enjoy the benefits of micro clover while minimizing bee presence can employ specific lawn management strategies focused on bloom suppression.
Mowing Height and Frequency
The most effective method is maintaining a consistent and relatively low mowing height. Keeping the lawn cut at a height that is still healthy for the turfgrass, such as two to three inches, actively removes emerging flower buds before they can fully open and become attractive to bees. Regular cutting prevents the plant from developing mature flower heads, eliminating the primary food source that attracts the insects.
Timing Mowing
To further reduce the chance of encountering bees, consider the timing of your mowing. Mowing during midday, when bee activity is highest, removes the flowers while the insects are actively foraging elsewhere. Mowing in the late evening removes the flowers before the bees begin their foraging in the morning.