About
Lotus berthelotii, coral gem, is a trailing or ground-covering, evergreen sub-shrub to 20 cm with silver-grey, linear leaves and rich orange-red, pointed, pea-like flowers in pairs in spring and early summer. One of the most striking and exotic-looking of all hanging-basket and container plants for a heated greenhouse or frost-free garden.
About the genus
Lotus are annuals, perennials and deciduous or evergreen shrubs with simple or compound leaves and pea-like flowers that may be solitary or in clusters. Grown in sunny borders, rock gardens and containers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitTrailing, Matforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Hanging basket, Mediterranean climate plants, Sub-tropical
Native toCanary & Cape Verde Islands
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained compost in full sun. Under glass, grow in a loam -based compost with added grit. Water sparingly in winter. Water freely in summer and feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 19-24°C or semi-ripe cuttings in spring or autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and aphids under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free