Alsike clover , a legume as are all clovers, is a biennial or perennial with good winter hardiness. It is moderately shade tolerant and is the best clover for wet sites and acidic soils. It can be undersown into the vegetable garden under plants like tomatoes, peppers or sweet corn, where it will germinate and then grow after these primary crops are removed. Crimson clover is a perennial with moderate winter hardiness and high shade tolerance. It is a fast grower.
Red cover is a short lived perennial with good winter hardiness and high shade tolerance.
Its taproot can help break up compacted soil. Annual white sweet clover is an annual with no winter hardiness and high shade tolerance. It requires soil pH over 6.0, is a fast grower and makes a good summer cover crop. Biennial sweet clover is a biennial with good winter hardiness, moderate shade tolerance, and requires soil pH over 6.0. The taproot helps break up compacted soil.