Bergen Water Gardens is excited to offer some of the most tasty lotus varieties found in China! Edible lotus are grown throughout China and are a basic component of the Chinese diet. Varieties of edible lotus have been selected for their size, color, texture and taste. Bergen Water Gardens is offering starter edible lotus tubers for 2019. Plant these tubers in a mud pond or a man made pond which is 5' x 20' x 1.5'. By the end of September, there will be lotus tubers ready to harvest for your … [Read more...] about Tasty Lotus
Articles
Variegated Lotus
Bergen Water Gardens is thrilled to introduce a horticulture first, the first stable variegated lotus: Nelumbo 'Gold Splash Hibiscus' Sǎ jīn fúróng. This exciting plant appeared growing in a group of stock Lanceolate Pink lotus. The unique lotus caught the eye of a premier lotus grower in Guangdong Province, China. He isolated it and has grown it since 2016. The variegation has remained stable in the leaves during this time. The beautiful leaf pattern is passed along to its progeny via tuber … [Read more...] about Variegated Lotus
How to Pot Micro Lotus
How to pot micro lotus is one of the most common questions we receive at Bergen Water Gardens. Micro lotus are the smallest growing lotus in horticulture. Often their height is only 6 to 10 inches tall. Some micro lotus only produce a few flowers during a season, others produce close to a dozen or more. There are varieties which are genetically very small and will stay small even if planted in larger pots. Some larger lotus may be planted in much smaller pots and literally dwarfed, much like a … [Read more...] about How to Pot Micro Lotus
Lantern Festival
This week, people throughout Asia celebrate the Lantern Festival, which traditionally marks the close of Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival. Brightly color lanterns of red and yellow are hung everywhere. Perhaps the most famous Lantern Festival is along the Qinhuai River in Nanjing China. The tradition dates back to the Eastern Wu, about 222 AD. Lanterns were hung to honor the return of warriors. The Lantern Festival gradually expanded and during the Ming dynasty the Lantern Festival … [Read more...] about Lantern Festival
Fresh Lotus Chips
For the second year, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering edible lotus tubers for sale. How to enjoy? Fresh lotus chips are a good option! Lotus tubers are staple food throughout China and much of Asia. The tuber may be boiled, fried or pickled. Soups with lotus tuber are also popular. A quick, easy way to enjoy lotus is to make lotus chips. The lotus chip presentation is especially novel due to the numerous holes in the slices of the lotus tuber Here is a quick … [Read more...] about Fresh Lotus Chips
Micro Lotus Porcelain Pots
Micro Lotus Pots are essential to grow the minute micro lotus. It’s best to have a pot which is no larger than 6 inches or 15 cm in diameter. In 2019, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering a limited number of Micro Lotus Pots. These will be from the famed city of Jingdezhen; renowned for it’s quality porcelain pots. It’s best to grow your micro lotus in a small pot but submerge it in a larger container/pot of water; this will keep it cool and hydrated! We use 10" plastic pots at Bergen Water … [Read more...] about Micro Lotus Porcelain Pots
Lotus Paradise on Ice
Lotus Paradise on Ice refers to an unusual "icing event" which occurred in western New York February 6 and 7, 2019. On the morning of February 6, cold air was in place and moderate rain showers fell; substantial icing took place. As the day wore on, temperatures failed to rise and more ice accumulated. That night additional cold air funneled down from the upper St. Lawrence River, following Lake Ontario and "settling over" the Rochester, New York area ( this phenomenon is common due to our … [Read more...] about Lotus Paradise on Ice
The Year of the Nepenthes
February 5, 2019 marks the start of the new lunar year; which is the Year of the Pig. Perhaps 2019 could also be considered the Year of the Nepenthes? The Pig represents luck, overall good fortune, wealth, honesty, general prosperity in Chinese tradition. Nepenthes are very popular and desirable plants during Lunar New Year celebrations. Their hanging pitchers resemble money bags and therefore are considered lucky. The Chinese characters for Nepenthes are 猪笼草 or zhū lóng cǎo. Zhū … [Read more...] about The Year of the Nepenthes
IWGS Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence
Bergen Water Gardens is honored to be designated as an International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society's Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence. Lotus Paradise is the first garden to receive this distinction in the 37 year history of the IWGS. Over the past 5 years, Bergen Water Gardens has worked diligently to collect, import and grow one of the largest collections of lotus (Nelumbo) outside of China. To meet the IWGS's Collection of Excellence, there must be a minimum of 75 varieties … [Read more...] about IWGS Certified Nelumbo Collection of Excellence
Micro Lotus Pots
Micro Lotus Pots are essential to grow the minute micro lotus. It's best to have a pot which is no larger than 6 inches or 15 cm in diameter. In 2019, Bergen Water Gardens will be offering a limited number of Micro Lotus Pots. These will be from the famed city of Jingdezhen; renowned for it's quality porcelain pots. It's best to grow your micro lotus in a small pot but submerge it in a larger container of water; this will keep it cool and hydrated! 2019 also brings 10 additional varieties of … [Read more...] about Micro Lotus Pots
Show Nepenthes in December 2018
Borneo Exotics has done it again by offering additional Show Nepenthes in December 2018. An additional 12 amazing Show Nepenthes have been imported and added to our collection. Our hope is these plants will both serve to demonstrate the potential size of a various cross but also what it looks like as it matures. Bergen Water Gardens frequently offers the same hybrids in smaller sizes. Buy Nepenthes Nepenthes ampullaria x ventricosa BE 3292 Nepenthes glandulifera x platychila BE … [Read more...] about Show Nepenthes in December 2018
Nepenthes November 2018
Bergen Water Gardens is thrilled to receive an exceptional assortment of XL Nepenthes, tropical pitcher plants, from Borneo Exotics. Borneo Exotics is a leading Nepenthes producer and cutting-edge Nepenthes hybridizer in Sri Lanka. In addition to these exceptional show plants, we have added to our growing collection/list of Nepenthes species and hybrids for sale. Once these plants have settled in we will add them to our website. Buy Nepenthes. Smaller plants are available of some … [Read more...] about Nepenthes November 2018
Lotus Greenhouse
The lotus greenhouse at Bergen Water Gardens is complete: September 2018. Construction was started in October of 2017 but we were not able to finish the lotus greenhouse before the onset of winter.While the design of this house is simple, the driving of the 52 posts, by hand, provided a substantial challenge. Indeed, there are too many rocks at Bergen Water Gardens. The lotus greenhouse spans 27 by 100 feet. The sides roll up partially to allow for cooling and ample airflow. We can easily fit … [Read more...] about Lotus Greenhouse
Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens
We are pleased to announce that we have completed Phase 3 of Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens. 30 - 5' x 5' Lotus ponds are now stocked and growing Identification signs are installed; complete with QR codes to link you to the correct page on our website New lotus varieties are being added to our website, complete details soon. Welcome to visit during regular business hours 10:00 till 5:00. Since 2018 had a cold start, we are expecting good lotus blooming through mid … [Read more...] about Lotus Paradise at Bergen Water Gardens
Tropical Waterlily Sale
Tropical Waterlily Sale at Bergen Water Gardens 2018 Thank you for your purchases and support! We are now sold out of this promotion - July 3, 2018. Bergen Water Gardens is thrilled to offer 8 select tropical waterlilies for just $19.99 - bareroot; $24.99 potted and fertilized! This is a limited offer and is good only while supplies last! Tropical or annual waterlilies Flowers are held high above the water and colors such as blue and purple are available A tropical waterlily … [Read more...] about Tropical Waterlily Sale
New Marginal Plants
New For 2018 New Marginal Plants for around your water garden, in your stream or container garden Hardy or Perennial: Hardy Arrowhead: Sagittaria latifolia 'Fantastic' Hardy Marginal/shelf Plant Great new color; each leaf is unique Beautiful, broad, arrow-shaped leaves Height 12 to 14 inches White flowers, with yellow center Discovered and perfected in the USA Mazus retans Hardy Marginal/Shelf Ideal for streams and floating islands Low growing 2 - … [Read more...] about New Marginal Plants