Lotus

Lotus are one of the most versatile plants for your garden. They may be:
■Grown in containers on your deck or patio
■Grown in containers which are placed in the ground in a terrestrial garden
■In water garden or koi pond

Lotus do best:
■in a large growing container
■in full sun
■regular and heavy feedings of fertilizer

Varieties of lotus at Bergen Water Gardens include:

Changeable:

N. ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum’: This lotus has 12 inch flowers which change from rose to pink to creamy yellow. It is a large plant at 4 to 5 feet. the leaves can get up to 18 to 23 inches in diameter. Mrs. Perry D. Slocum is very free flowering.

This is a first day flower.

Pink:

N. ‘Charles Thomas’: ‘Charles Thomas’ will grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet. Its flowers are pink and the first day, the second day is lavender-pink. Flowers can get 6 to 8 inches and have a pleasant anise scent to them. Leaves can grow to 14 to 22 inches in diameter.

N. ‘Maggie Belle Slocum’: This lotus features a huge lavender – pink flower, measuring 10 to 12 inches. The plant reaches 4 to 5 feet with leaves which are 20 to 25 inches in diameter.

N. ‘ Momo Boton’: ‘Momo Boton’ features an abundance of 5 to 6 inch flowers on each plant. It grows to 2 to 4 feet tall with leaves which are 12 to 15 inches in diameter. It has a long blooming season and is ideal for smaller ponds and tub gardens.

N. ‘Rosea Plena’: 89 to 102 very deep rose-pink petals make up a ‘Rosea Plena’ flower. The plants may get as tall as 6 feet and have leaves that are 18 to 20 inches in diameter. the flower itself can be 10 to 13 inches in diameter. Oddly, it produces a very small seed capsule of only 1 inch in diameter. This lotus is very free flowering.

Red:

N. ‘The President’: Very dark red flower when it first opens and grows paler with age. The flower is 11 inches contrasted to leaves which are 3 to 4 high and about 24 inches in diameter. This lotus is very free flowering. It may need protection in the winter.

White:

N. ‘Chawan Basu’: Flower color is ivory, with deep pink margins and veins. The flower size is 5 to 9 inches. The lotus will grow to 2 to 3 feet with leaves which are 14 to 17 inches in diameter. Great plant for small to medium pool.

N. ‘Empress’ : Single White flower with red edging. Plant will grow to 4 feet tall, with leaves which are 16 to 20 inches in diameter.

N. ‘Hindu White’: Creamy white large flowers.

Yellow:

N. ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’: 10 to 13 inch flowers which are cream in color. The lotus grows to 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall, with leaves that have a diameter of 18 to 18 inches. Very free flowering.