Hardy Water Lilies   

     Hardy water lilies grow horizontally (across the planting container) so it is important to use large size planting containers, such as an 8-inch bulb pan or even larger mesh planting crates. Most likely you will still have to divide and repot your lily every 2-3 years. Other acceptable containers are wooden boxes (constructed with untreated lumber - do not use redwood either; it is toxic underwater), tubs, half-barrels, and metal tubs that have been painted with a good coating of non-toxic paint.

     Since soil is not vital to the growth of water lilies, we pot our plants in finely crushed stone only. You may use heavy topsoil or clay, only around the tuber, topped off with a generous layer of gravel to keep your plant from floating out of the pot.  But remember, soil will wash out of the pot and may make your pond muddy.  Water plants get their nutrition from the water, not from soil!  We advise adding aquatic plant fertilizer once a month---they do not release nutrients into the water which would encourage algae  growth. Be sure to use the tablets in the spring when you are cleaning your pond.  It does make a world of difference even if you do not use the tablets the rest of the season.  Liquid fertilizers for pond plants are the easy way to add nutrients.   Plant the lily at a slight angle from horizontal with  the growing end up and the other end against the side of the container to encourage the lily to grow across the container. 

     Water lilies start best in somewhat shallower depths and can be lowered after good growth is established - 12 to 18 inches being ideal---some lilies (depending on variety) can grow down as far as 3-4 feet. If the pool is deeper, put the containers up on concrete blocks or bricks to raise them.  If you have deeper ponds, there are only certain lilies that will thrive in more than 4 foot depths!

THERE ARE SHADE TOLERANT LILIES!  WE STOCK ABOUT 15 VARIETIES.

We ship our water lilies as bare root tubers.  We have them potted and ready to put in your pond at are garden center. 

We will be adding many new varieties for 2012---so stand by!  

(Click the color to see the pages of named varieties)            

Dwarf Varieties

Prices listed here are for internet orders only. Availability varies.

Previous Page