About
A perennial of lax habit reaching up to 20cm in height. A good source of nectar for bees and a larval food source for some moths. Seed pods are long and slim. Yellow-coloured pea flowers emerge from heads of red-tinged buds from late spring to early autumn. Leaves are held in groups of 5, with one pair below a terminal trio.
About the genus
Lotus can be annuals, perennials, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with simple or compound leaves and pea-like flowers that may be solitary or clustered
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurope, Asia, Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrows in grassy places in sun, on well-drained, low-nitrogen soils, and often appears in lawns. See clover in lawns for more information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown all year round
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free