Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Lotus pedunculatus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

greater bird's foot trefoil

A native perennial of damp open habits, up to 30cm tall with stout stems and dark green leaves composed of leaflets. In spring and early summer masses of pea-like large bright yellow flowers in racemes, are produced

Other common names
pysen-y-ceirw fawr
Synonyms
Lotus villosus
Lotus corniculatus var. villosus
see moreLotus uliginosus
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing, Spreading branched
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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown as a wildflower in damp, marshy habitats and best grown in an open situation in moisture-retentive slightly acid soil with full sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.