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Lotus hirsutus (Hairy canary clover)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lotus hirsutus
Other names
Hairy canary clover, Canary clover, Dorycnium hirsutum
Genus
Lotus Lotus
Species
L. hirsutus - L. hirsutus is a compact, rounded to spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen hairy subshrub with pinnate, hairy leaves divided into five elliptic to narrowly ovate, grey-green leaflets and umbels of pea-like, pink-flushed, creamy-white flowers in summer and early autumn followed by reddish-brown seed pods.
Lotus hirsutus is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Cream, Flushed pink in Summer; Flushed pink, Cream in Autumn
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at !%C in spring. Soak in hot water for 24 hours prior to sowing.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Lotus hirsutus (Hairy canary clover) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, Conservatory, Coastal, City, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Protect in winter in cold areas. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost with grit in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Lotus hirsutus
Other names
Hairy canary clover, Canary clover, Dorycnium hirsutum
Genus
Lotus Lotus
Species
L. hirsutus - L. hirsutus is a compact, rounded to spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen hairy subshrub with pinnate, hairy leaves divided into five elliptic to narrowly ovate, grey-green leaflets and umbels of pea-like, pink-flushed, creamy-white flowers in summer and early autumn followed by reddish-brown seed pods.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Cream, Flushed pink in Summer; Flushed pink, Cream in Autumn
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Grey-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. May need restrictive pruning under glass.
Propagation
Sow seed at !%C in spring. Soak in hot water for 24 hours prior to sowing.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lotus hirsutus (Hairy canary clover) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, Conservatory, Coastal, City, Beds and borders
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Protect in winter in cold areas. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost with grit in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Following the success of the gold medal winning L'Occitane Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, L'Occitane is delighted to return to Chelsea once again in 2016 with a new show garden to… read more
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If not a prune, a tidy?
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