Water lilies are in bloom at Zhouji Green Expo Park. [Photo provided by Peng Changqing to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The Zhouji Green Expo Park and Nantong Botanical Garden in Nantong, Jiangsu province, are seeing their water lilies and lotus flowers approach the peak blossoming period.

Over the next two weeks, both gardens will enter the peak blooming period for lotus flowers. Unlike the exuberant display of summer blooms, the aquatic flowers in these gardens each have their own distinctive characteristics.

At the Zhouji Green Expo Park, the lake is adorned with layers of colorful water lilies — soft pinks, elegant whites, and lively purples — floating gently on the green waves.

Water lilies have a unique growth habit of opening during the day and closing at night, with individual flowers lasting three to five days and the overall blooming period extending up to three months. Sunny days are the best time to appreciate them.

In the wake of water lily season, lotus flowers in the garden begin to bloom, with layers of lush green leaves spreading out and delicate pink buds standing gracefully.

Water lilies bloom at Nantong Botanical Garden. [Photo provided by Peng Changqing to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Nantong Botanical Garden, home to the city's largest lotus pond, offers an immersive lotus pond experience with its expansive aquatic garden area. The pathways are set along the lake, where the vibrant flowers and clear waters create a picturesque scene.

As a standout feature of the summer water scenery, the garden hosts the rare bicolor water lily, with petals that are half goose-yellow and half orange-red, presenting a rare natural chimera.

Addresses:

Zhouji Green Expo Park, Xianfeng subdistrict, Tongzhou district, Nantong

Nantong Botanical Garden, No 19 Gongnongnan Road, Chongchuan district, Nantong