Marsh Trefoil (Bogbean)
Menyanthes trifoliata. GENTIANACEAE (MENYANTHACEAE).
Planting and Growing Marsh Trefoil
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow marsh trefoil in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of marsh trefoil
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for marsh trefoil
- Season of bloom and planting time for marsh trefoil
- When, how deep, and where to plant marsh trefoil
- How to plant marsh trefoil
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of marsh trefoil
- Landscape and container uses of marsh trefoil
- Comments about marsh trefoil and its features
Growing Marsh Trefoil
Several cultivars of low, creeping or trailing, rhizomatous, deciduous aquatic perennial herbs, to 8 in. (20 cm) tall. Textured, bright green, oval, pointed leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, in triplets on long red stems.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many pink becoming white, fringed, bearded flowers, in long, branching clusters, in late spring.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 3–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Wet, peaty soil or, in water features, shallow-depth marginal or shoreline sites. Fertility: Average. 5.0–6.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun to partial shade, 16 in. (40 cm) apart, or submerged to 6 in. (15 cm).
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize annually in spring. Pinch foliage to control growth. Propagate by cuttings, division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for containers, edges in bog, natural, shade, woodland gardens and water feature margins, shorelines. Very invasive; plant in buried or submerged containers. Pest and disease resistant.
Warning:
Due to its very invasive habit, marsh trefoil is a prohibited plant in some governmental jurisdictions.