In some lawns, a certain amount of white clover is a welcome addition as it forms pretty blooms and fills in bare patches well. If there is strong clover growth in the bed, it is usually the reddish horn sorrel (Oxalis corniculata), which can become a real nuisance.

Clover in the bed can hinder other plants from growing

The properties of the horn sorrel

The horn sorrel spreads in the bed or in diseased lawns, especially if they have a slightly acidic soil substrate. In contrast to other types of clover, the above-ground parts of the plant sometimes die off in periods of drought or in winter, but the plant is still hardy and can sprout again from the fleshy roots in the ground. If countermeasures are not taken in time, this plant can spread rapidly in a relatively open area and is then difficult to eliminate.

How the horn sorrel spreads in the garden

Like the clover species of the genus Trifolium, the horn sorrel can spread through self-seeding and vegetative propagation in the garden. Since this clover can sometimes throw its seeds several meters through the air, it is sometimes colloquially referred to as "spring clover". However, the seeds also have an appendage that is attractive to ants as a food source, so that they willingly carry the seeds throughout the garden on their migration routes. In this way, the horn sorrel can quickly move from one bed to another and continue to multiply there.

Fight the horn sorrel as effectively as possible

In principle, the horn sorrel should be prevented from spreading as early as possible if it is undesirable in the garden. Various approaches can be considered for this:

  • chemicals
  • covering with a bottom foil
  • regular weeding
  • Cover empty spaces in the bed with bark mulch
  • Change in soil pH

When weeding, the soil should first be loosened up a bit so that as many plants as possible can be removed, including the roots. The weeding of the horn sorrel usually has to be repeated several times until it shows clear results. Chemical agents only solve the problem temporarily; changing the pH value at the respective location is more helpful. If empty spaces in the bed are planted with other ground cover, they cannot be occupied by the horn sorrel.

tips

Horn sorrel is often brought into your own garden in a pot with purchased plants. Therefore, check purchased plants in pots for this type of clover and remove existing clover plants together with the roots before planting the purchased plants in the bed.

Category:

Herbs