(Last Updated 6/14/2022) Description of the stunning (William) Land Park lotus pond – now in bloom. A Sacramento destination worth visiting. NEW: See UPDATE below.
Driving through Land Park recently while running errands, out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of the lotus pond in full bloom. I had forgotten that it was that time of year! So, I resolved there and then to stop by soon to enjoy and photograph the blooms.
Recently I made the short jaunt with that purpose in mind, camera in hand. As I was going to be in the immediate vicinity, I also decided to stop by and stroll through the WPA Rock Garden.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
A Bit of Background
The person responsible for turning the Land Park “duck pond” into the “lotus pond” is Master Gardner Daisy Mah. Thank you, Daisy!
Daisy is a now-retired former employee of the Sacramento Parks & Recreation Department (now known as the Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment Department).
The story behind how the lotus pond came to be is most interesting. It all started in 2005 with a single lotus plant growing in a planter! The planter protected the lotus plant from the ravages of the ducks, who find them very tasty. Note: Every part of the lotus plant is edible.
Over the years Daisy watched as slowly, but surely, one plant became many! Today the lotus plants number in the thousands!
I recall watching a PBS KVIE interview with Daisy – the lotus pond in the background. Asked why she planted the first lotus, Daisy explained that she had wanted to create more beauty. She then added that the lotus pond was a present from her to the community.
Land Park Lotus Pond
The Land Park lotus pond has become a “destination”, with visitors from throughout the region making the trip to view the flowers when they are in bloom.
When I arrived at the pond on a beautiful June morning there were already a number of other visitors admiring the blooms and taking photos.
While each lotus flower has a relatively short lifespan, the collective blooming season is long-lasting. In her interview, Daisy shared that the plants in the lotus pond start blooming in May and continue until approximately October! So, you still have time to pay the lotus pond a visit.
Interested in learning more about the lotus plant? Check out the Nelumbo nucifera page on Wikipedia.
Updates
(6/14/2022) Since I was last in the vicinity of the lotus pond the plants have filled in even more and have grown taller. Today, I noted that the flowers are starting to bloom. Start planning your visit! Luckily, the blooming season is long lasting – so there is no great hurry.
(5/30/2022) Driving by the Land Park lotus pond yesterday, I took a quick glance at the pond to check out the progress of the lotus plants. They have indeed grown a bit taller, and appear to be filling up more space since my last report. Still a bit early for flowers. Next time I drive through Land Park I will stop and get a close up view and report back.
(5/21/2022) Yesterday as I drove through Land Park I made sure to check out the status of the lotus pond. The green, glossy leaves of the lotus plants are now approximately 1 to 1 1/2 feet above the surface of the pond. I expect that the plant growth will take off in short order. Stay tuned!
(4/26/2022) I was recently asked if the lotus flowers are currently in bloom. I drove past the lotus pond yesterday, and I can report that the first of the lotus plants green leaves have started sprouting. These leaves are currently floating on the surface of the pond. Check back for another status report next month!
See related blog posts: WPA Rock Garden and Sacramento Zoo – Sacramento Attractions and William Land Golf Course
Comments on the Land Park lotus pond?
If you have visited the lotus pond when in bloom – is there a particular month when you believe the flowers are most spectacular?
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Is what Daizy Mah did in introducing an invasive plant species (Lotus flower) legal? They could spread to other waters and become a big problem.
If you have some reason to believe there is a problem, why don’t you research the legality and let us know what you find out. Given her background, I think it highly unlikely that she would engage in an illegal action.
In light of the current effort to drain the Wm Land Park ponds, including Peace Pond with the beautiful lotus plants, is there any news of how the plants will be preserved and returned to the pond once it can be refilled? If City doesn’t have a plan, is there a community effort to adopt plants and later return them? Such a shame to see 15 years of Ms. Daisy Mah’s work go away.
I suggest you check with the Land Park Community Association for an answer to your question. Their website is at https://www.landpark.org/
It’s a shame that 2022 may have been the last time we can enjoy the lotus garden/flowers and wildlife. Are there any restoration plans when the pond will be filled again, hopefully next year?
Hi! Please see my response to Britt.
I went by the Lilly Pond today and found possibly 300 trapped ducks unable to fly out or to escape the fencing. Also, an awful lot of frogs and fish will soon die off. This is a manmade disaster approved by the city experts.