Hardy
water lilies (Nymphaea)
are
those plants that survive the winter in the temperate zones just like
other perennials in the garden. They come in a wide range of colors and
tolerate moving water better than many tropical types. Hardy lilies
generally bloom at lower water temperatures than the tropicals and thus
get off to an earlier start in the backyard pond.
Hardy lilies bloom in shades of white, yellow, pink, orange and red.
Sizes
range from miniatures to huge flowers several inches in diameter. Hardy lilies grow from rhizomes and should be grown in wide
shallow tubs or baskets. The rhizome should be placed in the soil at a
45 o angle and covered with soil and 1 inch of gravel. Be sure to leave
the growing tip above the soil and gravel. Tropical and hardy water
lilies should be covered with 6 to 18 inches of water.
Water lilies
should bloom from the end of May to frost, from mid-morning until dusk. All are day bloomers.