Lotus and water lily
A pond is indispensable in an exotic garden. And water lilies are indispensable in the pond! A basic assortment can usually be found in your local garden centre (white, yellow, pink, reddish-pink and various interim shades, dwarf species for shallow ponds and large species for deeper ones).
Tropical water lilies
The colour-spectrum of tropical lilies is much larger; blue, violet and magenta for example. These colours are often more intense, too. In recent years a new trend has emerged; that of succesfully crossing hardy varieties with tropical ones.
De Groene Prins has got it’s hands on some of the first of these crosses!
“Blue Lotus” is not a Lotus but a Nymphaea from Africa, it needs overwintering indoors
Nymphaea capensis
This species from South Africa has been used by a Thai nurseryman to cross in blue tones without loss of hardiness. The result must be seen to be believed:
Siam Purple 1 represents a new generation of Waterlily-hybrids
Queen Sirikit represents a new generation of Waterlily-hybrids
Siam Purple 2 represents a new generation of Waterlily-hybrids
In the years to come we shall take limited amounts of cuttings to produce sale plants. These plants will remain very exclusive for the time being!
Lotus
Nelumbo lutea
Photo by Jochgum Reitsma
Very difficult plant, a real challenge!
As the Lotus needs a lot of fertilizer, it’s best not placed in a pond with a balanced ecosystem – that’s the quickest way to turn your pond into a sort of pea-soup. We would recommend a second, seperate pond. And plenty of sun is essential for good growth!