Lotus hirsutus (canary clover)

Japanese name: ロツス ヒルスツス
Scientific name: Lotus hirsutus

[Overview]
A semi-evergreen or evergreen subshrub 20–50 cm tall, growing in sunny grasslands in its native range.
It branches freely from the base and forms a low, spreading or hemispherical shape.
Dense white hairs cover the whole plant, giving it a whitish look.
The leaves are alternate and odd-pinnately compound with 5 leaflets, but the pair at the base is small and stipule-like, so the leaves look trifoliate.
The leaflets are obovate to elliptic, about 2 cm long.
There is no leaf stalk.
Four to 10 flowers are borne at the branch tips in umbel-like clusters.
The flowers are pinkish white pea-type flowers.
The fruit is a reddish brown legume.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated place.
It is somewhat sensitive to heat and humidity, so it is better to keep potted plants out of the rain during long rainy spells.
Take care not to overwater; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long sunny spell and the soil dries out.
In spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil, and make sure no fertilizer remains in midsummer.
It dislikes being transplanted somewhat, so do not break up the root ball when repotting.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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