Lotus berthelottii is a trailing evergreen perennial that grows to 20cm tall and can spread to almost a metre.
In late spring and early summer the mass deep orange/red parrot shaped flowers make a wonderful contrast to the silver grey needle-like foliage.
Great for pots and containers where the trailing branches can cascade over the sides.
It also works well at the edge of a mixed border or as groundcover in a display bed as seen in Sydney Botanic Gardens.
This is a plant that doesn't do well during the hot summers and is often grown as an annual and removed once the days become too hot.
There are various cultivars:
Lotus Gold Flash - Flowers golden and red tips
Lotus Red Flash - Flowers orange with deep red tips