Blooming time: Lotuses flower early at Guyi Garden
The earliest lotus flowers have blossomed in the city — about a week ahead of normal schedule.
At the Guyi Garden in suburban Jiading District, a classical Jiangnan-style garden with a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a few pink lotuses have flowered.
The best temperature for the lotus to blossom is between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius, according to Wang Guanfei, a botanical expert with the Guyi Garden.
"The lotuses that have bloomed are in an area with abundant sunshine and shallow water, leading to a quick rise in water temperature, thus boosting the flowering of the lotuses," she said.
With the increase of temperature, more lotuses will bloom gradually, she added.
The best time to appreciate the lotus at the garden is between mid-June and August, according to Wang.
The garden has a water area of about 17,000 square meters, with the display area for the lotus covering about 7,000 square meters.
The garden will host its annual lotus and water lily exhibition from June 28 to July 28.
The Haiwan Forest Park in Fengxian District, Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District, Gucun Park in Baoshan District, Shanghai Chongming Lotus Garden in Chongming District and People's Park in Huangpu District are some other lotus appreciation spots in the city.