I have grown it from seed and kept it as a houseplant I had it for several years. I cant remember where I got the seed from. it could have been a pod from one plant in a 'posh house' I often ask for seeds/pods/cuttings when I am visiting NT properties etc.

Growers in the U.S. produce millions of these from cuttings for the bedding plant trade every year, and never need to touch seed or plants from the Canary Islands.

Hi, thanks for the replies!

Tugbrethil, would US growers send seeds to the UK and would you know of any trusted suppliers that would be happy to ship seeds over to the UK (for a small order from me)?

Seaburngirl - I always used to pinch seeds from plants on visits to gardens! I recently acquired some different Dahlia varieties and will see if I can grow them next year.

I'm having unexpected difficulties finding seed companies with Lotus maculatus seeds. As I said, though, my understanding is that the bedding plant growers here grow named cultivars from cuttings, not seeds.

Thanks for the advice, Tugbrethil. I'll look around for plant specimens in late spring/early summer next year and vow to overwinter them. :)

Coming from a Mediterranean-type climate, the plants grow well under cool conditions, and can even take light frosts (no lower than -2º C), but only start blooming after the spring equinox--about a month or two before the heat kills them, here. :)