How to Care for the Lotus Berthelotii

Lotus berthelotii, commonly known as parrot's beak, is a herbaceous perennial that's native to the Canary Islands. The plant is a trailing vine, with attractive gray foliage, and blooms are crimson-red with yellow splashes. Although Lotus berthelotti only grows to a height of around 8 inches, the plant trails can be 2 to 3 feet wide. Lotus berthelotii is only winter-hardy in U.S. hardiness zones 10 to 12, as it requires warm winters; however, the plant is easily grown as an annual in containers. You can purchase new Lotus berthelotti plants or seeds in early spring, with best flowering occurring in late spring to early summer.

Well drained soil or sandy-based compost for containers

Instructions

- 1
  Plant Lotus berthelotii in light, well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Incorporate a little sand into soil to improve drainage, where necessary. When planting in gardens with very high levels of summer sunshine, it is possible that Lotus berthelotii will tolerate partial-shade conditions. Plant 2 feet apart when grown as ground cover.
- 2
  Water your Lotus berthelotii plants regularly, but allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. Over-watering, or too little water, will cause foliage drop, so these plants must be watered with care, preferring even moisture conditions. Well-drained soil is essential for these plants to thrive.
- 3
  Pinch stem ends of plants throughout the growing season, to encourage branching. Pinch out the top leaves of the stem betweeb thumb and forefinger to encourage twiglets to form. Pinching out stem ends ensures healthy, new and bushy plant growth. Cut back ground-cover plants hard to encourage bushy new growth.
- 4
  Overwinter container-grown Lotus berthelotti and cuttings at temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees F, in bright, sunny conditions with reduced watering. Propagate this plant from stem cuttings. Stem cutting propagations may flower in the year they are grown, but plants grown from seed will not flower in the first year (though their foliage will be an attractive garden feature).

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