Tropicals & Tender Perennials: The Lotus, 1 by bwilliams

bwilliams wrote:
This is a easy to grow aquatic plant which is hardy in zone 5 and warmer if the water does not freeze solid. A bit of a mystical plant the chinese lotus or scientific name Nembo has been used in ton of stories and is sacred to many cultures. The flowers can be around 4 inches to 10 inches wide and most have a very strong good smelling scent. Their are a few miniature forms as well as species and large growing forms. The last few decades has shown some interesting hybrids. I have grown around 15 varieties and am always interested in more. The most unique quality to them besides the large flowers are the huge leaves which look almost totally round and are repellent to water. When a drop of water is on the leaf it acts like mercury and roles off. I have grown leaves up to 2 1/2 ft around on some larger plants. Here is a picture of a flower on the lotus.