Hykon Rose Clover

Tolerates acid sands

Trifolium hirtum

In stockDownload tech sheet

Hard seeded early flowering semi-erect clover with high levels of hard seeds which therefore tolerates false breaks. It has very good insect tolerance. Deep rooted which provides palatable and non bloating forage. Ideal alternative to Serradella in lower pH soils.

Key attributes

  • Rose clover suited to sandy country
  • Hard seeded for reliable regeneration
  • Suits low fertility country
  • Persistent under grazing
  • Useful where other clovers struggle

About this variety

Hykon is a rose clover, a species grown for country that defeats most other pasture legumes: acid sands of low fertility, where sub clover will not persist and the alternatives are limited.

Its tolerance of acid sands is the reason to choose it. Rose clovers evolved on poor, light soils and ask relatively little of them, so Hykon will establish and produce where a more demanding legume would fail or need lime and fertiliser it is not worth applying.

It is hard seeded, giving reliable regeneration from the soil seed bank across seasons, and it persists under grazing rather than needing to be locked up.

Hykon suits low fertility sandplain country in mixed farming systems, where the job of the legume is to fix nitrogen and provide some feed on soils that will not carry anything more demanding. It is often sown alongside other hard seeded legumes so that the pasture as a whole covers a wider range of soil types within the paddock.

Planting & grazing notes

Avoid overgrazing in late spring to protect seed set. Hykon Rose clover is well suited to rotational grazing systems but care needs to be taken when grazed in the late spring period as it is very palatable and if overgrazed seed set can be significantly reduced. It can be sown with other annual legumes and ryegrass and will add good quality to the grazing system especially in the mid to late spring period.

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
Bare25 kgIn stock
Hykon Rose Clover

FAQs

What clover grows where sub clover fails on acid sand in the wheatbelt?

We recommend Hykon Rose Clover, which is best suited to areas where sub clover grows poorly or not at all. It tolerates acid sands, suits soils around pH 4.5 to 6, and is adapted in WA to 300 to 550mm rainfall. It is sold as certified seed.

What's a good alternative to serradella on low pH soils?

Hykon Rose Clover is an ideal alternative to serradella on lower pH soils. It is hard seeded, early flowering (about 100 days in Perth) and deep rooted, producing palatable, non-bloating forage. It suits loamy sands to loams in 300 to 550mm rainfall areas.

How much Hykon rose clover do I sow per hectare?

Our catalogue suggests 6 to 10 kg/ha when Hykon is the sole clover with ryegrass, or 3 to 5 kg/ha mixed with other clovers. Our 2026 guide lists 3 to 8 kg/ha, so check with us for your situation. Inoculate with Group C inoculant.

How do I stop stock overgrazing my clover before it sets seed?

With a very palatable clover like our Hykon Rose Clover, take care in late spring, as overgrazing can significantly reduce seed set. It suits rotational grazing, so rest the paddock through flowering, which runs from early September to mid-November. Good seed set drives regeneration.

Is rose clover a bloat risk for cattle?

Hykon Rose Clover provides palatable, non-bloating forage, which makes it a safer legume for cattle and sheep. It is palatable throughout the season despite a leggy look when dry, and is especially palatable around flowering. It adds good quality to grazing in mid to late spring.

Which clover handles false breaks in a 350mm rainfall area?

Hykon Rose Clover has high levels of hard seed, so it tolerates false breaks well. It is adapted to 300 to 550mm rainfall in WA and suits Mediterranean-type climates. It also has very good insect tolerance, which helps establishment.

Can rose clover handle a waterlogged paddock?

No, Hykon Rose Clover is not adapted to waterlogged conditions and should be kept to drier ground. It is best on well-drained loamy sands to loams. For wet paddocks we recommend Paradana Balansa, Kyambro Persian or Shaftal Persian Clover instead, all of which tolerate waterlogging and suit higher rainfall areas.

What should I mix with a hard-seeded clover for a sheep pasture?

Hykon Rose Clover can be sown with other annual legumes and ryegrasses. Good companions from our range include Casbah Biserrula, Bartolo Bladder Clover and annual ryegrasses such as Wimmera. Hykon adds good quality feed to the grazing system, especially in mid to late spring.

Is there a deep-rooted clover that keeps pests at bay on sandy soils?

Hykon Rose Clover is deep rooted and has very good insect tolerance. It is a freely branching, semi-erect plant with good spring production and suits loamy sands to loams around pH 4.5 to 6. It flowers around 100 days in Perth.

Hykon rose clover vs Casbah biserrula, which is better for low rainfall?

Both are hard-seeded, low bloat legumes for drier country. Hykon Rose Clover suits 300 to 550mm rainfall, acid sands and rotational grazing, and is non-bloating. Casbah Biserrula suits 300mm+, is very deep rooted and tolerates heavy grazing, but can cause photosensitisation as a monoculture.