Many varieties available bare root shipped directly to you or potted for pick up at our nursery.  We grow hardy and tropical (night and day blooming) varieties in a wide range of colors and sizes.  These plants not only add great beauty to your water garden but also act as a valuable cooling mechanism thus helping to control algae growth.

Add these beautiful lilies to your garden and enjoy a display of flowers from May through September.  Each flower lasts about four days, opening and closing daily.  Many of our cultivars will produce several flowers at a time.  The floating leaves provide shade to the water below, a main contributin factor to the "balance" of the pond.  In the winter, the leaves die back and the plant remains dormant until spring.  In smaller ponds, mix the varieties for an interesting display.  In larger ponds, use several of the same variety to achieve a mass effect.

What Does a Water Lily Need to Bloom and Grow?

Five or more hours of sunlight per day.  The afternoon sun is best.  Some varieties will give some flowers with less light and are so noted with their descriptions in our Online Store. More sun means more flowers.

A good quality topsoil is used as the growing medium.  Do not use bagged topsoil that is not specifically labeled for aquatic plants or any soil that has organic amendments.  Clay-loam topsoil is best while sub-soil (just clay) should be avoided.  Soil from a garden is usually best.  Cover with small 1/4" grade gravel to keep fish out and soil in.

Use a planting container that is as large as your pond will accomodate.  Remember to allow 10" of water over the soil surface.  Shallower lilies generally do not bloom as well.  Be sure the root system is below the freeze line in the winter (generally 18" deep is sufficient in Zone 6).  A water lily prefers a wide shallow container to match growing habits.  Planting containers can be found in our Online Store.

Regular fertilization will keep your water lily in full bloom.  Fertilizers are pushed into the soil at planting and from April through August.  Follow manufacturer's recommendations for fertilizer application rates.

Removal of unsightly leaves and spent blooms will keep your water lily growing and blooming vigorously.  Pinch leaves and spent blooms all the way back to the rhizome.

Do not position the water lily so that its floating leaves are in the path of turbulence from a waterfall or splashing water.  If water movement is only underwater, keep the lily away from the pump outlet. Still water is best for all water lilies.