Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil
A robust and attractive native perennial that is perfectly suited to damp and boggy conditions, Lotus pedunculatus, (synonymous with Lotus uliginosus, and commonly known as Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil), is often found growing wild in Irish gardens. During the Summer it produces clusters of bright yellow, pea-like flowers that are frequently tinged with orange or red as they bud. These vibrant blooms are held on hollow stems above soft, clover-like green foliage, providing a cheerful display that lasts until early Autumn. This plant is an absolute magnet for wildlife, particularly bees and butterflies, and serves as a vital food source for the Common Blue butterfly caterpillar. It thrives in areas where other plants might struggle with excess moisture, such as the margins of a pond, damp meadows, or marshy ground. As a member of the legume family, it also helps to improve soil health by fixing nitrogen. Its scrambling habit makes it an excellent choice for naturalizing in wilder areas of the garden, where it can weave through grasses and other moisture-loving plants.
Position: Full sun to part shade
Planting depth: It should be planted just above the water line in soil that is consistently wet or saturated
Growth rate: Vigorous
Flowering Period: Late June to early September
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Size: Height: 30-60cm (12-24"). Spread: 45-60cm (18-24")
Aquatic pot and compost variations
Aquatic plants come in a variety of pot and compost variations that have different benefits for planting and growing.
Mesh Pot | (Aquatic Compost)
Pot can be removed and plant can be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot and plant can also be placed directly into water to be container grown, but will still need repotting in time.
Pot | AQ (Aquatic Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line.
Pot | (Regular Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above the water line. Cannot be planted directly into soil below the water line.
Image 1 by Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden cropped, and licensed under CC BY 4.0
Image 2 by Forest and Kim Starr cropped, and licensed under CC BY 2.0
