Water Lilies, Nymphaea or Lotus Flowers for
Ponds and Water Gardens
Water lilies are plants that can and should adorn
every water garden. Water lilies grow strong roots
in the mud (or in a garden pond in the pot) of
natural or large artificial ponds. They have long
extending leaf stalks and large distinctly shaped
leaves which float on the water and provide
wonderful
shade and protection to koi and goldfish in your
pond against herons and other fish predators. The
water lily flower (also called Lotus Flower) grows
above the water level. Some water lilies flower at
night only, most in the day; some are scented other
just simply gorgeous to look at and admire for their
shape form and colour.
The water lily genus Nymphaea includes all the
water lilies in the world. They grow in every
country and continent except New Zealand.
Water lily colour is generally the most important
factor in our choice of which water lily type to use
to use and for this reason lists are normally colour
denominated. Other relevant water lily features are
size, scent and water depth. In general water lilies
are classed as deep water plants but not all
water lily varieties need such deep water ... see
table below.
Nymphaea capensis is the blue water lily which
started its existence in South Africa. and has since
been used as parent in many fine tropical water lily
hybrids.
The hardy hybrid groups descend mainly from North
West Europe and USA parents such as
-
Nymphaea alba
odorata
-
Nymphaea tuberosa.
Yellows and apricot colours owe their existence
to the semi-tropical Nymphaea mexicana and other
wild species.
Water lilies grow somewhat like an iris. They
develop tuberous rootstocks and these grow by around
6 inches (15cm) or more ever year spreading across
the bottom of the pond so long as there is substrate
Allow for this when planting in a large pot or
tub by placing the tuber right back against the edge
with growing point inwards. Hardy plants should be
planted at an angle; tropical water lilies should be
planted upright.
Nymphaea react to depth of water, i.e. from
crown to water surface.
Some plants are strong growing and their surface
cover is proportionately more. Obviously the less
vigorous varieties cover less. The following
divisions are used as a guide only as many will
prove satisfactory in various depths of water other
than that indicated.
Nymphaea water lily varieties ... 10 cm = 4 inches, 1 sq metre = 10 sq
feet
| Name |
Depth of water in cm |
Spread in sq m
1 sq m = 10 sq ft |
Colour |
Description |
| Alba |
30 to 100 or 1 -
3 ft |
1.50 to 2.00 |
White |
An indigenous lily with green foliage
that can grow in water up to 3 meters deep. Blooms are 10-15 cm across. |
| Gladstoniana |
30 to 100 or 1 -
3 ft |
1.50 to 2.50 |
White |
Pure white, very large cup-shaped blooms
with golden stamens. Dark green foliage. Very suitable for pools or
lakes. |
| Marliacea Albida |
30 to 75 or 1 to 2.3 ft |
1.00 to 1.25 |
White |
Prolific fragrant white flowers stand
just above the water surface. Green foliage. |
| odorata minor |
20 to 30 or
9 to 14 inch |
0.40 to 0.60 |
White |
Star-shaped fragrant blooms. Pale green
leaves with red undersides. |
| odorata |
30 to 100 or 1 -
3 ft |
0.75 to 1.00 |
White |
Tuberous rooted variety with medium sized
fragrant blooms and pale green foliage. |
| pygmaea Alba |
15 to 30 or
6 to 14 inch |
0.40 to 0.60 |
White |
Probably a form of N. tetragona.
Miniature white flowers. Can be propagated from seed. |
| tuberosa Richardsonii |
30 to 100 or 1 -
3 ft |
0.75 to 1.25 |
White |
Vigorous free flowering variety with pure
white globular flowers and green sepals. |
| Collosea |
30 to 100 or 1 -
3 ft |
1.25 to 2.00 |
White |
Very large flesh coloured blooms from
spring until autumn. |
| Amabilis |
60 to 90 or
2 to 3 ft |
0.75 to 1.50 |
Pink |
Salmon pink stellate flowers. Dark green
foliage. |
| Fabiola |
50 to 80 or 18 to
28 inch |
0.75 to 1.25 |
Pink |
Large open blooms. Rich pink colour
tinged with white. Broad rounded petals with mahogany stamens and deep
green foliage. |
| Laydekeri Lilacea |
25 to 50 |
0.75 to 1.00 |
Pink |
Soft rose to carmine fragrant blooms. |
| Laydekeri Rosea |
30 to 60 0r 12 to 20
inch |
0.75 to 1.00 |
Pink |
Deep rose, cup shaped flowers
float flat upon the water throughout summer. |
| Madame Wilfron Gonnere |
60 to 90 |
0.75 to 1.50 |
Pink |
Large double rose-pink
flowers. |
| Attraction |
30 to 100 or 1 - 3 ft |
0.75 to 1.25 |
Red |
Large deep red blooms approximately 15-20 cm across.
Frequently flowers pink until well established |
| Charlene de Meurville |
30 to 100 or 1 - 3 ft |
1.00 to 1. 50 |
Red |
A very prolific variety with large wine coloured
blooms up to 25 cm across. |
| Conqueror |
30 to 80 or 12 to 28 inch |
1.00 to 1.50 |
Red |
Brilliant red flowers darkening towards the centre
and flecked with white. |
| Escarboucle |
80 to 120 or 26 to 48 inch |
1.00 to 1.75 |
Red |
Extremely large crimson blooms. A very prolific lily
best suited to deep water. |
| Maurice Laydekeri |
30 to 50 or 12 to 20 inch |
0.75 to 1.25 |
Red |
Is of poor constitution and rarely seen in
cultivation. The flowers are a deep rose-red flecked with white. |
| Charlene Strawn |
30 to 80 or 12 to 28 inch |
0.50 to 1.30 |
Yellow |
Hardy lily that holds its flower
well above the surface of the water. Excellent bloomer and a prolific
grower. |
| Colonel A. J. Welch |
50 to 150 |
0.75 to 1.75 |
Yellow |
Canary yellow flowers stand above
the water. The foliage is very prolific. |
| Graziella |
30 to 60 0r 12 to 20 inch |
0.50 to 0.75 |
Yellow |
The reddish-yellow blooms become
lighter with age. The foliage is heavily mottled with purple. |
| Paula Harriot |
30 to 60 0r 12 to 20 inch |
0.75 to 1.00 |
Yellow |
Apricot yellow changing to
orange-pink. Maroon spotted foliage |
| Comanche |
30 to 60 0r 12 to 20 inch |
0.75 to 1.00 |
Orange |
Flowers turn to bronze and are held clear
of the water. |
| Indiana |
12 to 50 or 5 to 20 inch |
0.50 to 0.75 |
Orange |
The blooms open orange-red and gradually
mature to copper-red. Foliage is heavily spotted with purple. |
information extracted from
garden
pond plants website
|
