All About Shamrocks and 4-Leaf Clover

In the 5th century when St. Patrick came to convert the Irish information on christianity could only be spread across the realm from one storyteller, or seanchaí, pronounced shan-a-key to the other.
In mind of this St. Patrick used to the Shamrock to explain the concept of the holy trinity - that God was composed of three entities - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - yet each entitiy was part of the other just like the shamrock has three leaves but a single stem.
As St. Patrick continued to use the Shamrock in his conversion of the irish it grew, through story telling to be seen as a holy plant, just as he was seen as a holy man.
It is for this reason that the Shamrock is worn on the St. Patricks day and all other special occassions to celebrate his work and to bring 'a bit o'luck' to the irish and all their children wherever they may be.
Before the arrival of the Christians to Ireland the plant was sacred to the Irish Druids because the three leaves formed a triad.
The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg or seamair óg, meaning "little clover".
The tradition of wearing Shamrock on Saint Patrick's Day can be traced back to the early 1700s.
For good luck, it's usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride, and also in the boutonniere of the groom.
In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion and began to be strongly associated with Irish identity. Apparently anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. People even ate the shamrock in times of famine.

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Which is the True Shamrock? Do you know that there is no such thing as a "Shamrock Plant"? The word shamrock comes from the Irish word "seamrog" meaning "little clover". However, there are hundreds of varieties of clover. The question is...what is the "Original Irish Shamrock"? No one can agree. Here is what some respected authorities have to say:

"The true Irish Shamrock, as identified by Nathaniel Colgan c. 1893 is a clover. It is not one of any or many clovers, it is one species, collected from a majority of counties at that time and with the exception of a very few plants, the majority were Trifolium repens or a form of this plant - White clover also known as Dutch Clover". ...'From Ireland' © Jane Lyons, Dublin, Ireland

Lesser yellow trefoil (or hop clover) Trifolium Dubium can be found throughout the British Isles. It is an annual plant which grows to 25cm in height, individual yellow flowers are small (around 3 mm).

"White Clover, Trifolium repens forma minus, family Leguminosae, was the original shamrock of Ireland" ...Academic American Encyclopedia, Vol. 17, 1990.

"In Ireland, the plant most often referred to as shamrock is the white clover." ...The World Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 17, 1993.

"Those most commonly called shamrocks are: the white clover, Trifolium repens, a creeping white-flowered perennial..." ...Collier's Encyclopedia, Vol. 20, 1992.

"The clovers also occupied a position in the cultural life of early peoples. White clover (T. repens L.) in particular was held in high esteem by the early Celts of Wales as a charm against evil spirits. According to Evans (1957), this pagen tradition was continued by early Christian leaders and became the symbol of the Holy Trinity for the Irish people." ...Clover Science and Technology, N.L. Taylor, 1985.

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Growing from Seed Indoor

Seeds can be sown in small pots or trays using any moist, well drained soil mix. For best results, using a packaged seed is recommended.

Place packet of seeds in the refrigerator (not the freezer) for 24 hours and afterwards open packet and sprinkle some seeds into damp Official Irish Dirt or potting compost just below the surface and lightly covered with additional soil. Use 1/4 teaspoon of seeds for 1 square foot of area.

Keep the dirt (or compost) moist and place in warm, bright location. Avoid extreme temperatures and do not over water. Seedlings will appear within 21 days. Keep growth and dirt moist by frequent misting and watering.

When two or three true clover leaves (3 Leaf) have formed, you can begin fertilizing with an all-purpose fertilizer at the recommended rate for the container. If necessary, thin-out weak plants. Plants should fill out in 6-8 weeks.

Transplant when roots appear at the bottom of the pot drainage holes.

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Transplanting: Depending on how you started your seeds, you'll want to transplant to a larger container when roots appear out the bottom of the pot or tray. Be careful not to damage the roots when transplanting. After transplanting continue fertilization as before. Top of Page

Indoor Care: Keep plants well watered (make sure container drains well) and keep in a sunny location. Continue fertilization as before. Try to keep tips in contact with the soil and remove any damaged leaves. "Runners" that extend over the pot or tray edge can be cut off at the soil surface. "Runners" that grow over the edge will eventually wither and die off if they can't root. Top of Page

Outdoor Care: Outdoor care is the same as indoor care, except increase the fertilization to the recommended outdoor amount for container plants. Clover can also be planted in outdoor beds. Top of Page

Seed Storage: If you are storing seed for future planting, seal seed package and store in a cool, dry area. For prolonged storage, you can refrigerate or freeze seeds. Top of Page

Dormant: They grow tired now and again and begin to look a bit droopy, or even a bit dead; with the leaves turning brown. It's just time for good rest. Stop watering, relocate them to a darker place while the dormant period lasts. Usually occurring a few times each year lasting 2-3 months. Top of Page

Repot: A good time to repot them would be after they've been dormant for the 2-3 months.

Remember shamrocks do not get along with other houseplants in mixed pots. They are best grown with just other shamrocks all together in a crowded pot.

Shamrocks growing tall and spindly: usually a result of not enough light. It can also happen when they are too warm.

Shamrock leaves are yellowing: Watering too much can make the leaves yellow.

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Four-Leaf Clover:

How can identify a real four-leaf clover?: A good way of identifying a real four-leaf clover is that the fourth leaf is usually smaller than the other three leaves.

Are 4-Leaf Clovers Shamrocks?: By definition, for a clover to represent the Trinity, it would have to bear 3 leaves. 4-leaf clovers have 4 leaves and therefore can't be considered shamrocks.

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Is there 4-Leaf Clover Seed?: Unfortunately, there is no 4-Leaf Clover seed to plant. They just appear now and then in fields of 3-leaf clover. The odds of finding a 4-Leaf clover is estimated at 10,000 to 1.

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4-Leaf Clover and Luck:
- The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck with its origin ages old. According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden.
- Druids held the 4 leaf clover in high esteem and considered them a sign of luck. In 1620, Sir John Melton wrote: "If a man walking in the fields find any four-leaved grass, he shall in a small while after find some good thing.
- According to Irish folklore, finding a stem of clover with 4 leaves will bring you good luck, but finding a clover stem with more than 4 leaves will not bring you even more luck.
- The mystique of the four leaf clover continues today, since finding a real four leaf clover is still a rare occurrence and omen of good luck.
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What do the 4 leaves symbolize?:

One leaf is for HOPE... The second for FAITH...

The third for LOVE... And the fourth for LUCK!