Lotus hirsutus: Great groundcover or potential pest?

Given the newly empty spaces in my garden I've been considering both what plants I can use to fill them and how I might simplify my landscape in the process.  When I first began planting my current garden over fourteen years ago, it was all about buying every plant I fell in love with and finding spots to put them later.  More recently, in addition to fire safety, I've become concerned with streamlining plant care and maintenance through the use of more mass plantings.

As I looked around at my more prolific, low care plants, I zoomed in on Lotus hirsutus, commonly known as Hairy Canary Clover (formerly classified as Dorycnium hirsutum).  It's a vigorous groundcover, very drought tolerant, and pretty with and without flowers.  The fuzzy silver gray foliage is particularly soft to the touch.  I'd argue that it's even softer than lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina).

Closeup of the clover-like flowers

In addition to the plant's other attributes, it's beloved by bees

There's a lot of this plant in my garden already, much of which has spread itself around, which is one of my concerns.  My recollection was that I'd purchased only one or two plants over the years but according to my spreadsheet I've purchased the plants six times between 2011 and 2018, corroborating San Marcos Growers' assessment of the plant as "short-lived."  That's actually comforting as it suggests that the plant won't overrun my garden, while the fact that it self-seeds allows me to spread seedlings about where they can be useful.

The majority of the purchased specimens were placed in the dry garden on the north side of the house.  I can't say with any certainty which, if any, of those shown below are original and which are self-seeded.

I vaguely recall planting one of my purchased plants along the edge of the gravel path here.  I cut them back as needed when they encroach on the path.  The only downside is that the tiny plants that pop up in the gravel can be more difficult to remove than they are elsewhere.

I think the plant seeded itself here but it looks nice with the self-seeded pink evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa)

I may have placed another plant or seedling here, or this could be a self-seeded plant - they do like to place themselves along path edges

This one definitely planted itself here, in a shaded area of the same path

I've already transplanted two Lotus seedlings in one of the empty spots in the north-side garden and I'm contemplating adding more.

This is the area previously occupied by 3 humongous rosemary shrubs.  I didn't intentionally go with a pink theme here but with 2 large Leptospertmum 'Pink Pearl' shrubs, a Protea 'Pink Ice', a Grevillea sericea, and 3 Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite' in the same area, adding more Lotus hirsutus could help knit the area together.  I've already placed 2 Lotus seedlings there.

I potted up this large seedling for future use.  Like the 2 plants in the prior photo, it's struggling a bit after being yanked out of the ground; however, based on prior experience, there's at least a 50-50 chance the seedlings will recover.

The plants have long tap roots, which can be difficult to get up intact.  I tossed this one because I clearly broke part of that tap root.

These are 2 of the areas where Lotus transplants may be useful.  The area on the left under one of our persimmon trees is one spot but I need to remove more ivy first.  The area on the right alongside the concrete block stairway leading down into the back slope had been occupied by prostrate rosemary.  Lotus seedlings or Aeonium cuttings are both options there.

I need to remain mindful about pulling the Lotus seedlings where they're not wanted because they've spread into some areas I didn't expressly select.

Large Lotus hirsutus in the front driveway

I may have intentionally planted the Lotus in the prior photo but I definitely didn't plant these

I didn't plant the Lotus along this narrow path on the front slope either but, as few things grow well there other than weeds, I'm leaving them in place and simply pulling seedlings as needed

I also didn't plant the Lotus here but then this part of the garden on the west side of the driveway is an amalgamation of self-seeded plants, including Polygala myrtifolia, Lavandula stoechas, and Festuca glauca.  One day I'll get around to replanting the whole area but it won't be anytime soon. 

The Lotus has made some attempts to take hold in the back garden too.  I've removed all but this one, which I should probably replace with something else before this self-seeder gets even more comfortable here.

Despite some reservations, I'm currently leaning toward using more Lotus in the north-side garden but not elsewhere at the moment.  What self-seeders have you found useful?

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

Wild & Weedy Wednesday: Wanna-be weeds

I'm dealing with more weeds in my garden this year than I can ever remember.  I haven't made a dent in what's out there.  Summer's heat may fry some of them once our marine layer lets go of the coastal area but in the meantime I'm trying to remove all those working to set seed as best I can.  Among the true weeds are an ample number of plants I'm calling wanna-be weeds.  I haven't had many rampant self-seeders in the past, possibly because drought conditions kept the plants inclined to that under control.  This year is different.  I'm joining Cathy at Words and Herbs for another edition of her Wild and Weedy Wednesday meme.

The prime culprit is Daucus carota 'Dara', commonly known as wild carrot.  I sowed one packet of seeds in the fall of 2020 and haven't sown any since.  When the plants first appeared in 2021, I'd forgotten all about them and initially feared that I had poison hemlock growing in the garden.  The flowers are lovely and I've cut them numerous times to fill vases.  As the flowers grow smaller, I pull the plants up with their deep taproots intact.  The self-seeded plants returned in the same general area in 2022 and 2023.  This year, following a second year of heavier-than-usual rain, they've not only returned in increased numbers, they've spread to other areas of the garden as well.

Although I pulled some large "seedlings" from this area several weeks ago, I didn't realize that this one was flowering until I tried to walk through this narrow footpath behind my back border on Sunday.  I ended up cutting numerous flowers for an IAVOM arrangement.  I don't want to see a lot of seedlings taking over the path next year, or worse yet spreading to the slope beyond the hedge.

Here's what I saw from the front of the border when I thought the blooms had only just gotten started

I've discovered seedlings in various parts of the back garden, including the 3 shown here, which planted themselves in between flagstones

I've pulled the majority of the plants I've come across from other parts of the garden.  I discovered this one on the south-side of the house when I was thinning the Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima, another rampant self-seeder).  I let it stay but I'm a little afraid I'll regret that decision later.

I planted a single four-inch pot of Cotula lineariloba (aka big yellow moon and brass buttons) in 2014.  After it took over a large area, I pulled it out, or at least thought I had.  When it showed up again in discrete patches following a period of drought, I added three plants in 2022.  Well, it's returned to its weedy ways.

Boosted by the rain, seedlings like the one on the left have popped up in between flagstones in the back garden.  It's also extended the space it occupies in the bed surrounding our backyard fountain (right), climbing around - and over - Gazanias and other plants.

I planted Gaura lindheimeri (aka bee blossom, and now apparently classified as Oenothera lindheimeri) in or around 2014.  It's spread itself around ever since, albeit mostly in adjacent areas.  My only complaint about it is that the plants are difficult to impossible to eradicate once established.

Oenothera lindheimeri is almost as weedy as its cousin, Oenothera speciosa.  Both have pretty flowers, though.

I sowed seeds of Lagurus ovatus (aka bunny tail grass) in one small area on the south side of the house about four years ago.  I've been delighted with the flowers, which live up to their common name.  I've used them in many vases, including dry arrangements where they last for years.  They moved around a bit during the following years but this year they've spread more widely.

They look lovely in the area shown above but they've crept eastward into my south-side succulent bed this year.  I pull them out as I find them but I'm guessing that trend may continue.

Finally, there's Polygala myrtifolia (aka sweet pea bush).  It's a tough plant and I've used it in both my front and back gardens.  It self-seeded in bit in both areas in prior years but it's gone to town this year.

Its seedlings start out small but quickly form clumps.  I'd entirely missed these little clumps until I started taking photos this week.  They'd taken over a narrow area between an ornamental grass (Festuca californica) and a shrub (Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata').

These photos show clumps of Polygala myrtifolia in the back (left) and front (right) gardens.  Most or all of those in these photos seeded themselves there over the past year.  (A few pink evening primrose, Oenothera speciosa, have snuck into the area shown on the right.)

Do you have any rampant self-seeders?  If so, do you treat them as gifts or nuisances?

For more wildflowers, including weedy types, visit Cathy at Words and Herbs.

All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party 

Wednesday Vignette: Too much of a good thing?

In October 2014, I picked up a one-gallon pot of Barleria obtusa at my local botanic garden's fall plant sale.  In 2015, it had reached a modest size and flowered nicely.  In 2016, it looked even better but in 2017 I began to have some concerns that it might be a trifle too exuberant.  However, I adore plants with blue flowers and the Barleria blooms profusely so I was willing to forgive a lot.

At the end of its bloom period last November, I cut my largest plants back hard, even as I transferred some of their seedlings to new areas.  Despite being cut to a height of 6 inches or less, the original plants have already exceeded their mature size last year.

This one had begun to engulf the Echium webbii next to it so I cut it back for a second time in July

Plants that were mere seedlings last year have also assumed a respectable size.

This was a tiny seedling last year

And I continue to find seedlings all over my garden.

Every time I cut something back or clean up and area, I find more Barleria seedlings.  I've considered transplanting some of these on my ugly, neglected back slope to see if they can survive even there.  They have a reputation for being very drought tolerant.

But when I saw this I began to wonder if perhaps I've made this plant too welcome in my garden.

If it looks like this plant's in a cage, that's because it is.  But I didn't put it there.

Pulling back a bit, here's a better view of where I found this seedling.

This chimenea was left behind by the prior homeowner.  I had an Aloe striata in a pot sitting in front of the chimenea's grill and, while inspecting the battered aloe last week, I noticed a splash of green color in the background.

At one time I had a vague plan to use the chimenea as a plant container but that task never rose to the top of my project list.

I'd made do with topping the chimenea's smoke vent with a pot of Euphorbia 'Sticks on Fire'

I haven't decided what to do with either the chimenea or the plentiful supply of Barleria seedlings I have on hand but I feel as though a pushy Mother Nature is nudging me along.

This is my Wednesday Vignette.  For others, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.


All material © 2012-2018 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party