Water Lilies
Hardy water lily
The hardy water lily is a great easy care plant well suited to growing just about anywhere in
Hardys can start flowering as early as August, however late September/October is a more common time. We work on Labour weekend when advising customers of flowering times.
The ideal conditions vary slightly from plant to plant although most love as much sun as possible. Depth can vary from 50mm (2 inches) from the top of the basket to 915mm (36 inches). A good all round depth of about 300-400mm (12-16 inches) will accommodate most plants. As much as the plants are delicate to touch they are as their name implies `hardy’. If leaves or flowers are damaged they will produce new growth quickly if grown in good conditions and fertilised properly.
Some people swear by repotting their waterlilies every season to get the best out of the plant. This process can be necessary if your main plant has pushed through new plants from the main rhizome and division is needed.
Regular feeding with a seasonal or regular tablet provides your your water lily with all the nutrients they require for growth, lush leaves and flowering. See Tablet Fertilisers for more information.
Tropical water lily
The tropical lily is a rather exotic addition to any pond with a tall proud flower that stands clear of the water surface. Theses flowers are common in pink, white and yellow with the unique favourites, sky blue and purple.
They flower later in the season than the hardy variety (normally from December) so a mix of the two types is a great idea for a pond to extend the bloom time.
As the name suggests tropical lilies prefer hot conditions. They will grow in cooler areas, but they will not thrive to their full potential. If you are likely to suffer from extreme frost or snow it is suggested taking the tropical tuber (sometimes called korm) out of the pond and storing in water in a garage or basement will protect them from the risk of damage or death over the colder winter months.
Tropical lilies generally grow from a central crown in an upright position which makes planting very easy. The tuber can be planted in the middle of a basket (as shown in our information on potting Hardy lilies)
approximately two-thirds fill with Aquatic soil. Cover with soil and Aquatic stones. Place in a sunny position and once the roots are clear of the basket the plant can be moved into its preferred location.
If your tuber has no leaf or root growth make sure the tuber is between 5 – 7cm below the soil surface then cover with Aquatic pebbles. Dormant tubers and newly potted tropical lilies have a tendency to float if they are not anchored with roots. You can place a smooth stone over the tuber or roots to keep them in place.
Tropical lilies can spread to1.5-2.0 metres(5-7 feet) when planted in shallow water with full sun. The St Louis Gold is the exception to this only reaching about half this size. Ideal depth is similar to hardy lilies around 30-40 cms(12-16 inches)
A good balanced food is critical for these lilies as they grow extremely fast. As with the hardy lilies the Glenbogal Aquatic Fertiliser Spikes (seasonal) or Glenbogal Aquatic Fertilser Tablets (regular feeding) will provide the full balanced fertiliser requirements for tropical lilies. See Tablet Fertilisers for more information.