This is my first water lily. It's first bud has appeared on the water's surface. Our weather is changing (clouds & rain). Daytime temperature in the low 60sF and nighttime in the low 50sF. I'm wondering if the bud will mature and actually open? I've tried googling for this information, but no luck. Thanks everyone!

Most waterlilies will work to open existing buds right up until frost, though they may not produce more. Chromatella was particularly tolerant of poor conditions I recall, last time I grew it, but I don't remember how late in the year it continued blooming. I would be very surprised, though, if it didn't open that bud for you unless you had a freeze or something. If it's already at the water's surface, it will likely open in the next few days under the conditions you just listed.

psa, Thank you so much for the information! Will keep an eye on the bud. My Water Hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyos) blooms reliably as long as there is no ice in the pond.

I love water hawthorn, but I can only reliably keep it in the greenhouse. It doesn't seem to like our heat, and it won't survive the winter here. But this time of year it's really in its element.

I have many buds on my Swamp Rose Hibiscus, but we have not had a warm enough summer for the flowers to bloom. Buds will likely rot when we get our first frost.


https://www.illinoiswildflower...

Hibiscus can be temperamental like that. Around here the buds turn yellow and fall off when it gets too hot and dry. Last year I picked up a cross between H paramutabilis and H syriacus (rose of sharon) which has similar flowers to the one you posted, but seems to be better able to handle our weather. It was just small when I got it, so this is the first year it's had any size on it, but it's bloomed well all summer, and is still blooming now. I'll be watching how it does going into the cold weather. I still don't know enough about its overwintering habits or general growth.

https://www.woodlanders.net/in...