Aquatic flowering plants, often called “lily pad flowers,” transform ponds and waterways into colorful displays. These blooms are striking features in natural and cultivated water gardens. This article explores the specific colors and structural characteristics of the two primary genera responsible for these aquatic displays.
Water Lilies Primary Colors and Varieties
The true water lily belongs to the genus Nymphaea, and its color palette is divided between two distinct horticultural types: hardy and tropical varieties. Hardy water lilies, which survive freezing winters, offer a color spectrum that includes white, pink, red, peach, yellow, and orange. These flowers typically appear to float directly on the water’s surface or are held just slightly above it on short stems.
The tropical varieties of water lilies expand this range significantly, introducing the vibrant purples and true blues rarely seen in nature among other plants. These tropical blooms are often more intensely colored and fragrant than their hardy counterparts. Unlike the hardy types, tropical water lily flowers are frequently held high above the water’s surface on sturdy, erect stalks.
The tropical lilies offer the broadest and most electric color choices, including hybrids that display multiple shades or color changes as the flower ages. Hardy flowers are generally smaller and less complex, reflecting their adaptation to temperate climates.
Lotus Flowers Color Structure and Significance
The second major genus, Nelumbo, encompasses the lotus flower. Lotuses are characterized by their dramatic height, holding both their circular, waxy leaves and spectacular flowers high above the water on stiff stalks. These flowers can tower up to six feet above the water line.
The color spectrum for the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is less varied than that of the tropical water lily, focusing mainly on pure white and various shades of pink. These pinks can range from the palest blush to a deep, resonant magenta. The American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) introduces a natural yellow color to the genus, which has been used to breed yellow cultivars.
The limited color range of white and pink has contributed to the lotus’s profound cultural and religious significance across Asia. The flower, emerging pristine from muddy water, symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and cleanliness. The center features a prominent, cone-shaped receptacle that develops into a large seed pod after the petals drop.
The Daily Blooming Cycle
Both water lilies and lotuses share a temporal characteristic known as the daily blooming cycle. Most varieties are diurnal, opening in the morning, typically between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., in response to sunlight. They close again in the late afternoon or early evening, usually just before sunset.
A notable exception is found among some tropical water lilies, which are nocturnal bloomers. These specialized varieties open in the late afternoon or evening, sometimes around 4:00 p.m., and remain open throughout the night. They close the following morning, often around 9:00 or 10:00 a.m., making them ideal for those who enjoy their ponds after dusk.
Individual flowers in both the Nymphaea and Nelumbo genera are relatively short-lived. A single bloom typically lasts for only three to four days before the flower fades and is replaced by a new bud.