Lotus
The lotuses have burst out all over (Nelumbo lutea). They are bigger and more beautiful this year. You can even see the seed pods clearly. They are impossible to photograph because you need an aerial view. Thom says I can borrow the 17′ ladder.
I am slightly concerned that the lotuses are taking over the pond. They were supposed to stay in the deep end and leave the shallow end to water lilies. But I have had only 2 water lily flowers this year and there are lotuses in most of the pond. I shall have to get rid of some of them. They are native, and obviously happy. I believe there is also a more yellow version, but I like this creamy one.
And in the lawn by the compost piles, the ground orchid Spiranthes vernalis. I am so happy to see it. We had it at our old house, but this is the first time I have seen it here. That’s what you get when you seldom mow the lawn. (The wildflower book calls it “Spring Ladies’-tresses.” I don’t think much of that for a common name.)
As soon as I saw the lotus pictures the scent of licorice popped into my head.
Comment by Les — May 24, 2008 @ 6:33 am
Do they smell of licorice? I can’t get close enough to one to find out without waders, and my waders leak!
Comment by karen — May 24, 2008 @ 7:17 am
What a problem to have - too many Lotuses! They are so gorgeous, even after the blooms have faded the seed pods are so cool.
Comment by Mr. McGregor's Daughter — May 25, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
The lotuses are lovely. They make me wish my pond was bigger…and deeper.
Comment by mss @ Zanthan Gardens — May 25, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Hi Karen, what fantastic flowers your lotus, loti? are. I love the idea from Mr. McGregor’s Daughter about the seed pods. I have purchased such pods for adding to wreaths. You must have plenty. The ground orchid is exquisite, so delicate. Lucky you to have it.
Frances at Faire Garden
Comment by Frances — May 27, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
The problem with getting hold of the seed pods is that they cannot be reached from dry land, the pond contains snakes, and my boots leak. I swear that by fall I shall have made the long trek to Bass Pro Shop to buy heavy duty hip waders!
Comment by karen — May 28, 2008 @ 7:44 am
Hi Karen, the lotus are just beautiful. When you say snakes, do you mean poisonous snakes?
Simon
Comment by Simon Kirby — May 29, 2008 @ 9:59 am
Simon:
I don’t know whether the snakes are poisonous or not. Probably not. We have lots of non-poisonous snakes around here. However, there are a few poisonous varieties. And I read somewhere that all water snakes are poisonous (meaning those that live in water all the time). This is not useful for diagnostic purposes, since I believe that all snakes can swim (which seems bizarre), so chances are that a snake you see swimming across the pond is just an ordinary, nonpoisonous garter snake or rat snake getting from dry land to dry land. But unless you are close enough to identify it for sure, you cannot really know. And the poisonous snakes around here are really poisonous–e.g copperhead, water moccasin. I’m just a wimp about this. But I’d sure feel stupid explaining to St. Peter that I got bitten by a snake while rescuing lotus seed pods for a flower arrangement!
Comment by karen — May 29, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
I can see why you’d like to have a few of the lotus pods, Karen! Your pond and its plants are beautiful, even with snakes!
Did you ever read an old gardening book called the Gardener’s Year by Karel ?apek?
When it was the selection for the Garden Bloggers Book Club in March 2007, Entangled of the Cultivated blog wrote a great review and she included an illustration that would be the perfect way for you to get to those lotus without worrying about snakes.
http://tangledbranches.blogspot.com/2007/03/gardeners-year.html
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Comment by Annie in Austin — June 1, 2008 @ 10:06 am
Annie: That’s lovely! It would be so convenient to have wings! No, I don’t think I ever read Gardener’s Year. I must look for it.
Comment by karen — June 1, 2008 @ 10:11 am
The Lotus flowers are beautiful - also I like the orchid flowers in your lawn - I just get dandelions and daisies in mine!!
Comment by Mary — June 1, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Yes, orchids are definitely more exotic than dandelions! I remember when I lived in upstate New York, I would plant lots of daffodils and yellow crocuses around the edge of the lawn and when they flowered, you hardly noticed them for all the dandelions that burst into flower at the same time!
Comment by karen — June 2, 2008 @ 8:58 am
Karen, I second Annie’s recommendation for The Gardener’s Year. I have some quotes for you to read via the link so you can get an idea of it.
Comment by mss @ Zanthan Gardens — June 7, 2008 @ 3:48 am
OK, thanks. I must obviously read it, although I think you are both more spiritual than I am!
Comment by karen — June 7, 2008 @ 9:26 am
I never saw a lotus flower in real. It is such a beautiful plant! Lucky you to have it!
Comment by Barbara — June 29, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I have given you an award, please stop by my blog (The Gardens of Petersonville) to pick it up!
Comment by Sheila — June 30, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
Sheila, you’re a sweetie. Thanks so much. I’ve been away for a month and am behind with EVERYTHING!
Comment by karen — July 30, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
I have an over growth of chinese water lotus plants in my pond ( neighbor planted them and they took over). What’s the bst way to get rid of them. There so many te ducks and geese don’t even land there anymore. I own 100% of the pond, and the neighbor is even willing to part with them or control them sonehow. Thank you Dan
Comment by Dan Breer — August 17, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Such a treat to visit your lovely blog again. I hope you are doing well and will share some more interesting posts with us again soon.
Jon at Mississippi Garden on 11-6-08
Comment by Jon Pen — November 6, 2008 @ 2:17 am
Dan: I have no idea how to control lotus. Mine’s the native species and it gets much bigger than I realized. I just tear out great clumps of it–which is an exhausting business because it’s so strong and heavy. There must be something that eats it, but I don’t know what that would be. If you findout, please let me know.
I swear, everyone has some invasive plant that drives them nuts. Actually I have two: the lotus doesn’t bother me nearly as much as the trumpet vine, which has pretty much taken over my whole garden. It grows at the speed of light and you can’t uproot it, because its roots are under the whole garden. We are seriously thinking of moving!
Comment by karen — November 7, 2008 @ 6:12 am