American Lotus, Yellow Water Lotus, Yellow Lotus, Nelumbium luteum, Nelumbo pentapetala
A sight to behold, Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus) is an impressive marginal aquatic perennial boasting huge, umbrella-like leaves, 2 ft. across (60 cm), often rising above the water. Large, fragrant, luminescent yellow flowers, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), appear in summer on long, stiff stalks exceeding the foliage. Blooming for about three days, they open in the morning and close by late afternoon. Their fruit is an enlarged cone-shaped receptacle, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), consisting of pistil-containing cavities. The striking seed receptacles are often used in flower arrangements. American Lotus spreads, sometimes aggressively, by very long creeping rhizomes rooted in the mud. It is perhaps best kept in very large containers or small ponds. The large tuberous roots were baked like sweet potatoes by native Americans, the leaves were eaten like spinach and the seeds were prepared to be eaten like nuts or ground into flour. The ravishing pink flowers of Nelumbo nucifera (Sacred Lotus) of Asia and Australia, are more often seen in cultivation.
Hardiness |
4 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 12 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Perennials |
Plant Family | Nelumbonaceae |
Common names | Lotus, American Lotus |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens |
Hardiness |
4 - 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 12 |
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Perennials |
Plant Family | Nelumbonaceae |
Common names | Lotus, American Lotus |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens |
How many Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Nelumbo lutea (American Lotus) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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