Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera 'Perry's Giant Sunburst')
Grow the spectacular Nelumbo nucifera 'Perry's Giant Sunburst' Sacred lotus for fragrant, showy yellow blooms in full sun water gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The majestic Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ offers an unparalleled focal point for any water garden. This variety of Sacred lotus is celebrated for its towering height and its dramatic, large, double yellow flowers that reach up to 12 inches in diameter. As a hardy herbaceous perennial, it provides reliable summer interest once established in appropriate aquatic conditions.
This plant is valued not only for its dazzling tropical appearance but also for its low maintenance requirements once situated correctly. The large, waxy, shield-like leaves rise high above the water surface, creating visual structure long before and after the blooms appear. Cultivating Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ successfully means providing ample heat and full, unrelenting sunlight throughout the growing season.
The aesthetic appeal of this Asian native transcends mere flower size; the entire life cycle, from emerging leaves to the woody, seed-bearing receptacles, is fascinating. Gardeners seeking bold, vertical accents in ponds, water features, or rain gardens will find the Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ to be a uniquely satisfying and rewarding aquatic specimen.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Nelumbonaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Yellow (double)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting the roots of the Sacred lotus, including Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’, is best done in late spring after all danger of frost has passed and the water has begun to warm. These plants thrive when submerged in organically rich loam. They require calm water margins, so avoid strong pump outputs or areas with heavy water movement.
For water gardens or smaller ponds, it is essential to contain the rhizomes within large containers or specialized planting baskets, ensuring the growing crowns are covered by up to 24 inches of water in summer. This containment makes future relocation significantly easier. For naturalizing in large ponds, plant roots directly into the mud bottom near the edge, where they can colonize naturally.
Regarding seasonal care, winter hardiness in Zone 4 relies entirely on depth; the roots must not freeze solid. In climates prone to hard freezes, if containers are in shallow water (less than 6 inches), they must be moved to deeper water or brought into a frost-free basement or cellar for overwintering. Pruning is minimal, mainly involving removing spent foliage and flower stems (unless seed heads are desired for display).
Landscape Uses
The suggested uses for this aquatic perennial are broad, making Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ highly versatile in specialized landscapes. It excels as a magnificent ‘Water Plant,’ instantly transforming a feature pond into an exotic display. Because it spreads via rhizomes, given ideal conditions in a large pond or marshy area, it also works well to ‘Naturalize’ along generous margins, provided its spread remains manageable.
Additionally, its tolerance for wet conditions makes it a candidate for Rain Garden installations where seasonal flooding occurs. Its significant height (up to 6 feet) means it functions as a natural vertical screen or backdrop when placed against the edge of a water feature, contrasting beautifully with shorter marginal plants. The flowers, whether nodding or held aloft on stiff stems, are particularly showy and fragrant.
Avoid placing this towering plant where nearby structures will obscure the necessary full sun it demands. Its mature spread of 3 to 4 feet requires sufficient space to develop its foliage canopy fully, maximizing the visual impact of the overall arrangement near the water’s edge.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nelumbo nucifera is commonly called sacred lotus in reference to the sacred and symbolic status the flower holds in Buddhism and Hinduism. It is native to Asia and Australia. It is a large-flowered lotus that typically grows 3-6’ tall in shallow water and spreads by thickened rhizomes rooted in the mud. This is a marginal aquatic perennial that features rounded, parasol-like, upward-cupped, waxy green leaves (to 2’ across) that appear above the water on long petioles which attach at the middle of the leaf underside (peltate). Large, cupped, fragrant, pink or white flowers (8-12” diameter) appear in summer on stiff stems above the foliage. Each flower blooms for about three days, opening in the morning and closing at night each day. Flowers are followed by nut-like fruits that are imbedded in the flat surface of a turbinate (inversely conical) receptacle (2-3” diameter) which resembles the shape of a watering can rose. Receptacles acquire a woody texture when dried (suggestive of wasps’ nests) and are highly prized for dried flower arrangements. The rhizomes, leaves and seeds of lotus are edible and are sometimes used in Asian cooking.Genus name comes from the Sinhalese name.Specific epithet means bearing nuts.‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ is a large-flowered lotus that typically grows 4-6’ tall. It features large, cupped, very fragrant, double, yellow flowers (10-12” diameter)
Tolerances
No specific tolerances were listed for environmental stressors other than its requirement for wet soil and sunlight.
Potential Problems
Problems for Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ are generally minor, aligning with the very low maintenance expectations for this Sacred lotus. There are no reports of serious, recurring insect or disease issues that typically plague other aquatic plants.
Occasionally, gardeners may observe aphids or red spider mites, particularly during hot, stagnant periods. A helpful natural control method involves ensuring appropriate fish life is present in the pond ecosystem, as they can often consume light infestations. Vigilance is needed to watch for general blights, ensuring good air circulation around the foliage, though its height helps mitigate this risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Sacred lotus suitable for?
This specific variety, Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’, is winter hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 10, provided the roots are protected from freezing solid in colder zones.
How large does Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ grow?
This is a large variety, typically achieving a height between 4 and 6 feet, with a spread ranging from 3 to 4 feet when mature.
What sun exposure does Sacred lotus need?
The plant absolutely requires full sun exposure to thrive, flower profusely, and maintain the vigor necessary for survival through colder winters.
When does Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ bloom?
You can expect beautiful blooms heavily scented and yellow (double) from July all the way through September.
Conclusion
Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ stands out as a premier choice for gardeners seeking dramatic, fragrant summer color on a grand scale in their aquatic environments. Its robust nature and exotic appearance solidify its status as an essential centerpiece in water features. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-10 and that you can provide reliable full sun exposure throughout the warm months.
Companion Planting Aquatic Species
When planning a pond display around your towering Nelumbo nucifera ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’, select companions that appreciate similar full sun conditions but occupy different vertical spaces. Short, submerged oxygenators planted below the surface will utilize excess nutrients and improve water quality without competing directly with the lotus rhizomes. Consider edging the perimeter with smaller, hardy water lilies (Nymphaea varieties) that thrive in the same bright light but stay closer to the water surface.
For marginal edging that complements the lotus foliage, look toward plants like Pickerel Rush (Pontederia cordata) or Water Iris (Iris pseudacorus) if their height won’t overwhelm the view of the lotus. Since the lotus is low maintenance once established, companions that also prefer low intervention or are perennial will simplify overall pond management.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Focusing on seasonal tasks ensures healthy rhizome development and spectacular summer blooms from your Sacred lotus. In early spring, as water temperatures rise, divide any overcrowded rhizomes if propagation is desired, repotting them in rich muck. Summer is the primary growth period, requiring consistent moisture coverage of the crowns and maximizing sun exposure for flowering in July through September.
As autumn approaches and air temperatures drop, prepare for winter dormancy appropriate to your zone. If you live in colder parts of Zone 4, reduce the water level slightly in container plantings and move containers to deeper, protected water sections or completely indoors to a cool, dark cellar location before the first hard freeze occurs. Minimal feeding is required; excessive fertilization can sometimes inhibit blooming.
