Hardy water lilies are true perennials. As long as their rhizomes do not freeze over winter, they will survive dormancy in the pond. Hardy lilies over-winter best at a depth of 2ft or more. If the pond is too shallow, they can be over-wintered successfully in a cool, dark, frost-free place indoors.
 
Typically, hardy lilies do not bloom as profusely as tropical lilies, nor do they hold their blooms on long stems, high above the water. In recent years, however, hybridizing efforts have produced several stunning varieties that do hold their blooms high (e.g. Colorado, Joey Tomicock (pictured). Lily blooms usually appear by late spring, opening by mid morning and closing by mid to late afternoon. They come in a variety of shades including white, pink, yellow, red, changeable, and salmon/peach. Petals may be stellate (star-like) or cup-shaped, and vary in number according to the variety.
 
Hardy water lilies require full sun in order to bloom. Most varieties flourish in eight to ten hours of sun a day – only a few varieties will bloom with less than five. Hardy lilies prefer 12 inches of water over their crowns - they may be deeper, but should not be shallower. It is important to take note of each hardy lily’s potential to spread.
 
Small spread - 3ft-4ft in diameter
Medium spread - 5ft-7ft in diameter
Large spread - 8ft or more in diameter
 
Hardy water lilies must be fertilized each year at the start of spring with slow releasing fertilizer (see fertilizer composition).
 
The table below and over the page describes our most popular hardy water lily varieties. They are available in 8” pots for $35.95. Some are available in 15” tubs for $49.95.
 

name	description	comments
Pink Sensation	Smooth, rich pink.  20 petals.  Cup-shaped 5”-6” blooms rest on water.  10” green leaves open purplish.	4ft spread.  Blooms stay open until late afternoon.
Pink Opal	Coral pink.  26 petals.  Cup-shaped 3”-4” blooms held high above the water.  9” green leaves open bronzy.	3ft spread.
Charles de Meurville	Dark-crimson red with pink outer petals.  22 petals.  Stellate 6”-7” blooms rest on water.  8” leaves.	5ft-6ft spread.
Attraction	Deep garnet red; some flecking.  26 petals.  Stellate 6”-7” blooms rest on water.  10”-12” leaves open bronzy.	4ft-5ft spread.  Blooms with as little as 3hrs sun.
Charlene Strawn	Rich yellow with lighter outer petals.  27 petals.  Stellate 6”-8” blooms held high above water.  9” mottled leaves.	3ft-5ft spread.  Most fragrant hardy lily.
Chromatella	Creamy yellow.  22 petals.  Cup-shaped 4”-5” blooms rest on water.  6” leaves blotched with burgundy.	3ft spread.
Marliacea Albida	White.  23 petals.  Cup-shaped 5”-6” blooms rest on water.  9” leaves open slightly bronzed.	3ft-4ft spread.  Abundant bloomer.
Odorata	White; outer petals pinkish.  24 petals.  Stellate 4” blooms rest on water.  6”-7” leaves.	5ft-6ft spread.
Comanche	Yellow-apricot-gold-orange-red changeable.  22 petals.  Cup-shaped 5” blooms rest on water.  11” leaves.	5ft-6ft spread.  Showiest of the changeables.
Colorado	Salmon-apricot.  Prolific bloomer.  Stellate blooms held high above water.  11” leaves.	6ft-7ft spread.

There are numerous hardy lily varieties available - please enquire.
 
PLANTING HARDY WATER LILIES
 
Hardy water lilies are usually sold potted, and vary in age from two to three years. Containerizing them keeps their invasive roots restrained. For maximum growth and blooming, transplant lilies into a 15in tub at the start of their second season in a pond.
 
Mature hardy water lilies can produce up to two or three crowns every few years. Divide them regularly between May and August. Start new crowns in 8in diameter tubs.
 
To plant a hardy lily, you will need a tub, fertilizer, clay/loam mix, and a spade.
 
1. Fill the tub with an inch of soil and put the fertilizer stick on top (prevents leeching into the water).
2. Continue to fill the tub to about the half-way point.
3. The rhizomes of most hardy lilies grow sideways, so position the rhizome at the edge of the tub, with the growing tip (crown) towards the center.
4. Backfill with soil, being careful not to get any on the lily’s crown (where the stems meet the roots). Shake the tub to settle the soil and lily.
5. Spread about an inch of pea gravel over the top to hold everything in place, and to prevent the soil from clouding the water. The crown should still be visible.
 
It will take 3 - 4 weeks to see new growth. It is completely normal for some of the outer leaves to turn yellow – simply remove them.
 
TROPICAL DAY-BLOOMING WATER LILIES
 
Tropical water lilies are considered to be the biggest and most breathtaking of all water lilies. They are strictly annual, and survive in the pond from June through to first frost.
 
The flowers of day blooming varieties open by mid morning and close by late afternoon. Often, they will remain open a little longer in cooler weather. Sweetly fragrant blooms often reach 10” - 12” across. Tropicals hold their blooms on long stems, high above the water. They are free flowering, often with multiple blooms at one time. Petals may be stellate (star-like) or cup-shaped, and vary in number according to the variety. Most have beautiful centers of yellow stamen.
 
Tropical lilies are very sensitive to the cold. They are usually not put in the pond until the water temperature has reached 21°C (70°F). Tubs should be submerged in the pond, with about 6” - 10” of water over the crown. Tropical lilies require eight to ten hours of sun a day in order to bloom.
 
Some tropical day blooming lilies are propagated from nut-like tubers, and some varieties form tiny plantlets that form at the intersection of the leaves and stems (viviparous). Some varieties can become quite large during a season, so it is important to take note of each variety’s potential to spread.
 
Dwarf - 3ft-4ft in diameter Medium - 7ft-9ft in diameter
Small - 4ft-6ft in diameter Large - 10ft or more in diameter
 
The table below describes our blue and purple day blooming varieties. They are available in 8” pots for $45.95.
 

name	description	comments
Blue Beauty	Deep rich blue.  21 petals.  Stellate 8”-11” blooms.  Fragrant.  14” speckled leaves.	5ft-7ft spread.
Panama Pacific	Deep violet-purple.  21 petals.  Stellate 5”-6” blooms.  Fragrant.  9”-11” mottled leaves.	4ft-6ft spread.
Tina	Deep purple.  4”-5” cup-like blooms with a tinge of pink on tips.  Dark green leaves.	4ft-6ft spread.
Madame Ganna Walska	Light violet/pink.  Prolific bloomer.  Dark green leaves with red blotches.	4ft-6ft spread.

PLANTING TROPICAL DAY BLOOMING WATER LILIES
 
In most cases it is more convenient to treat a tropical lily as an annual, and simply buy a mature plant each year.
 
To repot a tropical lily, you will need a tub, fertilizer, rich top-soil mix, and a spade.
 
1. Fill the tub with an inch of soil and put the fertilizer stick on top (prevents leeching into the water).
2. Continue to fill the tub to about the half-way point.
3. The tuber of a tropical lily should be centered in the tub.
4. Backfill with soil, being careful not to get any on the lily’s crown (where the stems meet the roots). Shake the tub to settle the soil and lily.
5. Spread about an inch of pea gravel over the top to hold everything in place, and to prevent the soil from clouding the water. The crown should still be visible.
 
It will take three to four weeks to see the new growth. It is completely normal for some of the leaves to turn yellow – simply remove them.
 

FOR PRICING AND FURTHER INFORMATION, VIEW OUR ONLINE CATALOGUE HERE.

Web Administrator - Isa Webb.
Last Updated: Wednesday February 24, 2010