Nelumbo Double Bonheur

Nelumbo 'Double Bonheur' is a rare small lotus in cultivation. However, this doesn't prevent it from growing vigorously and blooming generously, in the form of adorable double corollas, in crumpled pink and white silk. Ideal for ornamenting small ponds and terraces, this miniature variety possesses the exotic charm of the sacred lotus of India, with its small round leaves that rise above the water and a very long summer flowering period.

The Lotus 'Double Bonheur' is a perennial plant from the Nelumbonaceae family. It is an aquatic plant whose foliage and flower rise above the water, unlike those of water lilies. The original range of the species, Nelumbo nucifera, includes Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. In these regions, it inhabits large ponds and canals filled with muddy water, from which it stands out majestically.

The 'Double Bonheur' variety develops, starting from spring, bluish-green leaves, more or less upright, with a flat or concave surface, slightly undulated at the edges. Water droplets projected onto their surface bead up instead of spreading out due to the water-repellent quality of the epidermis. The entire and peltate lamina, measuring between 10 and 15cm in diameter, attaches to the very brittle rhizome by a thin spiny petiole, fixed under the center of the leaf. The plant will rise to about 35-40cm above the water surface. Flowering begins in June-July and continues until autumn. The double flowers, with a crumpled texture, measuring 10cm in diameter, are solitary. They persist for several days before wilting and will be replaced by new flower buds. This flowering is followed by the formation of highly decorative fruits shaped like a watering can spout adorned with small holes through which the seeds escape when ripe. It is often used in the making of dried bouquets and contains numerous seeds that will eventually sink and germinate in the mud.

This 'Double Bonheur' lotus can withstand our winters if its rhizome does not freeze. As a precaution, it can also be taken out of the water in autumn and stored in frost-free conditions, in slightly damp mud. Like all dwarf varieties, it is ideal for small water plants and adapts to cultivation in various watertight containers that will decorate the terrace or balcony. The number of flowers produced depends on the size of the growing container. In a container with a diameter of 30cm, the plant will produce between 3 and 8 flowers, 8 to 15 flowers in a 50cm container, and up to 25 in a basin or barrel with an 80cm diameter.

Lotuses and water lilies will be the main attraction of your pond plantings. Most of them bloom from spring until early autumn. The lotus is also an essential plant for maintaining the balance of a garden pond, as it contributes to water oxygenation. Its leaves provide shade and shelter for your fish, which, in return, protect them from predatory insects such as aphids.

The entire plant is edible. The seeds are consumed candied, and the rhizome is a nourishing starch. The yellow stamens are used to flavour tea in Vietnam. The rhizome and seeds are also used in Chinese cosmetics to fight against aging, as well as in medicine and perfumery.

The perfection of the flower and fruit of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) makes this aquatic plant a symbol of purity in several religions. In Buddhism, it derives its sacred character from the belief that Buddha appeared floating on its leaf. In Hinduism, it is perceived as the cradle of the universe.