The Cotswold Seeds Database

An upright agressive form of clover commonly used for silage making to accompany ryegrass. Fixes large amounts of nitrogen and so often the need for artifical fertilisers are vastly reduced. Two distinct types, early and late flowering with a difference of 10-14 days between the two. Red clover silage has a high cude protein content of around 20%.

Sown between March and September red clover can last up to 4 years depending on varietal choice.

(560,000 seeds per kg)

A low growing clover commonly used in grazing mixtures along with ryegrass to improve the longevity, palatability and protein content of the yield. It is also used as a green manure for undersowing, N fixation and weed supression.

Various leaf sizes; large - commonly used for dairy grazing and silage making, medium - used together with small leaved wild white clover which tolerates tighter grazing in longer term pastures.

(medium: 1,200,000 seeds per kg)
(small: 1,700,000 seeds per kg)

This plant looks like a cross between red and white clover but it is a distinct species. It flowers slightly later than red clover providing succession of pollen and nectar for insects.

It is ideally suited to damp soild and is more productive in wetter seasons.



(1,200,000 seeds per kg)

This is an attractive annual legume sown after harvest by mid September for winter sheep keep. It will grow well on most soil types and conditions.

It is also used as a green manure for fixing nitrogen. It will flower if left until May.



(1,000,000 seeds per kg)

This is an aggressive biennial which is fast to establish from May sowings. Very aggressive in the second year. Sweet Clover is a very good green manure due to its strong/deep roots helping to improve soil structure.

Must be sown with an innoculant in order to fix significant amounts of nitrgoen. It must be effectively destroyed to avoid volunteers.

(485,000 seeds per kg)

An annual legume for short term use. IT will grow well on slightly acid and clay soils and can be sown in Spring or Autumn. Best used in mixtures with grasses and can be foraged.

Primarily used as a green manure for nitrogen fixation. Good regrowth after grazing or cutting for hay with the most vigorous growth in late Spring/early Summer.

(800,000 seeds per kg)

Lucerne is a long term, drought resistant and high yielding legume which is grown mainly for silage. Typically it will produce 3 or more cuts per year. It has a high protein content of around 18-22% and is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Drought tolerant.

The majority of lucerne is grown pure or with a small inclusion of non aggressive grass seed as it has little tolerance of competitive grasses such as ryegrass. Although lucerne is usually ensiled it can also be made into hay.

(500,000 seeds per kg)

A long lived perennial that reaches maturity in the scond year after sowing. It grows well on all soils and is remarkably drought resistant.

The plant has narrow leaves and bright yellow flowers. It is a good nectar sources. This is non-native seed.



(600,000 seeds per kg)

Sainfoin has been recorded in the UK for over 300 years. Those that have been in a Sainfoin crop during flowering will appreciate how attractive it is to bees. Grows best on free draining, alkaline soil.





(50,000 seeds per kg)

A short lived annual which when sown is with slow growing perennial species acts as a cover crop. From a spring sowing it will flower in July or August. It is also suitable for autumn sowing and proveded a winter hardy type is used it will over-winter and flower the following spring.



(20,000 seeds per kg)

Distinct from early flowering types this is the finer and less aggressive form of red clover. It flowers during early June and is a source of nectar for bumblebees and other insect. The decline of red clover over the past 40 years has been linked with the decline of the partridge, as it provides a habitat for insects which the partridge chicks feed on.


(450,000 seeds per kg)

Also known as yellow trefoil, this is a useful biennial which flowers from May to August. It provides nectar 2-3 weeks earlier than red clover. Trefoil sheds seed readily so it can be classified as a permanent species.





(480,000 seeds per kg)