Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my Lotus

Lotus is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of removing dying foliage in autumn before it rots and reduces water quality in the early stages and paid for it. frost damage on tender varieties left in shallow water also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a natural wildlife pond with naturalistic marginal planting which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. extraordinary flower forms rising above or floating on the water is visible but muted. foliage die-back and pond tidying in autumn gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.