Started Lotus at the wrong time — lessons learned

I planted Lotus at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. blanketweed algae competing for nutrients in established ponds didn't help matters. Once I understood planting in aquatic baskets with specialist pond compost things improved substantially.

cooling visual effect and microclimate benefit in summer is what makes this plant worth persisting with. In an indoor water feature with appropriate species it finally looks as good as I'd imagined. peak flowering period in midsummer redeemed the whole effort. If you're starting out: do your timing research before you plant.