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Conservatory GreenhouseBedding

Lotus 'Fire Vine'

A tender perennial with trailing stems to 1m, bearing needle-like, silver-grey leaves to 2cm long. In spring and early summer it produces red-tipped, orange flowers, 3cm long and shaped like lobster claws

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
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
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit in full light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Treat as an annual or overwinter plants in a warm greenhouse; cut back stems before starting back into growth in spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in spring; take semi-ripe cutting in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

hanging basket
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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