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| Photo Credit: Courtesy of Slocum Water Gardens |
| ‘Tina’ is a semidwarf variety with slender petals. |
Water gardening actually began over 2,000 years ago in the Orient, and there are millions of Americans now practicing this garden art. Many homeowners are interested in creating water gardens in their yards for the serenity, sound and beauty water provides. While there are thousands of aquatic plants available, the most popular remains the water lily (Nymphaea).
This well-known, well-loved water plant comes in many sizes and colors, and it serves as the focal point of many displays for several good reasons. Water lilies are classified as floating-leaved plants, as they have only their leaves floating atop the surface of the water, while the remaining portions of the plant grow under it. In balancing a pond, water lilies provide shade at the bottom of the water garden, oxygenate the water and use up extra nutrients found in it – all features that hinder algae. There are two groups of water lilies: tropical and hardy. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Courtesy of Slocum Water Gardens | | ‘Trudy Slocum’ is a beautiful night-bloomer. |
Hardy water lilies are perennials that grow from rhizomes. They’re found year-round and come in reds, pink, oranges, yellows and whites. One group of cultivars, called “changeables,” even changes color from yellow to reddish-bronze or apricot on successive days of blooming.
Tropical water lilies, also perennials, develop from tubers (short, fleshy underground stems) and are noted for their fragrance. These frost-sensitive plants are divided into two groups: day bloomers and night bloomers. Day bloomers, like hardy lilies, open during the day and are available in most colors, including blue. Night bloomers, as you might expect, open around sunset and close by noon. They only come in white, pink and red. A water garden containing day and night bloomers produces flowers around the clock.
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| Warnings |
- Water lilies and fountains don’t generally get along. Splashing water on the flowers keeps them from opening properly and creates an unnatural situation for the lilies. If you really want these two features in your water garden, make sure your pond is big enough for the both of them.
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| Tips |
- If you plant your water lily in a pot first, be sure to use a heavy garden soil enriched with slow-release fertilizer tablets and free of composted organic matter. Cover the soil with a layer of small pebbles to prevent soil from floating into the water when you submerge the pot.
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| Facts |
- Water lilies require high amounts of fertilizer for flowering. Generally, slow-release tablets or granular fertilizers with an analysis of 20-10-5, 5-10-5, 10-6-4 or 12-8-8 are acceptable. Ask your water lily supplier what’s best for your area.
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| Faqs |
- Q: Is algae in my pond a problem?
A: People often have the misconception that algae is a sign of an unhealthy situation. But water gardens, which often have algae, don’t require any more care than other gardening endeavors. Generally, enough plant growth and maybe a few snails will control algae.
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