Vermont State Flower: Red Clover

Vermont's floral emblem, the Red Clover, dates back to 1894. Each flower head contains 40 to 100 tiny florets. The blooms appear pink to purple rather than true red. Rounded flower heads measure half an inch to one inch across. Three-part leaves with pale chevron markings identify the plant. Stems grow from spreading roots that form dense mats.

Red Clover blooms from May through September across Vermont. Peak flowering occurs in June and July throughout most regions. The Champlain Valley, Green Mountains, and Connecticut River Valley showcase abundant displays. Individual flower heads last one to two weeks. Plants prefer moist well-drained soil. Full sun to partial shade suits red clover best.

Native to Europe and Asia, red clover naturalized throughout Vermont centuries ago. Farmers planted the legume extensively for hay and pasture improvement. The plant fixes nitrogen through bacteria in root nodules. This enriches soil for other crops. Honeybees and bumblebees pollinate the flowers heavily. Vermont's dairy industry relies on red clover as nutritious cattle feed.

The common name is Red Clover. The scientific name is Trifolium pratense. The plant belongs to the Fabaceae family. This enormous family includes peas, beans, and about 19,000 species of flowering plants worldwide.

Trifolium comes from Latin words meaning three leaves. Each leaf divides into three heart-shaped leaflets. The species name pratense means of meadows in Latin. Red clover thrives in open grasslands and pastures. The common name describes the pinkish-red color of flower heads, though blooms range from pale pink to deep magenta.

Other common names include purple clover, cow clover, and meadow clover. Farmers sometimes call it beebread because pollinators visit the flowers constantly. The plant appears similar to white clover but grows taller with larger flower heads. Vermont's agricultural heritage connects deeply to this widespread legume.

The legislature proclaimed the Red Clover as Vermont's official state flower in 1894. Vermont became one of the earliest states to designate a floral emblem. The choice reflected the plant's importance to Vermont agriculture. Red clover covered thousands of acres in hay fields and pastures across the state.

Dairy farming dominated Vermont's economy during the 1890s. Farmers valued red clover for enriching soil and feeding cattle. The plant grew reliably in Vermont's cool climate. Its nitrogen-fixing ability improved yields of corn and other crops planted in rotation. Agricultural prosperity depended heavily on this humble legume.

No formal vote or campaign preceded the designation. The legislature recognized red clover's economic and cultural significance. The flower represented Vermont's agricultural character and rural landscape. Artists featured red clover in paintings of Vermont pastures and meadows. The simple pink blooms symbolized the state's farming heritage.

The Hermit Thrush serves as Vermont's state bird, a woodland songbird known for its beautiful flute-like call. Both symbols represent Vermont officially. Vermont adopted the Red Clover in 1894 and designated the Hermit Thrush as state bird in 1941.

The Red Clover commonly represents Vermont's agricultural heritage, rural character, and connection to dairy farming. The flower frequently represents hard work and prosperity through its role in enriching soil and feeding livestock. Its modest appearance is considered to reflect Vermont's unpretentious nature and practical values rooted in farming traditions.