The water lily is the undisputed star of the water garden. Learn how you can plant water lilies in the pond yourself. Water lilies of many sizes can be planted in containers on the terrace or directly in ponds. They grow from tubers or rhizomes with stems under the water, rounded leaves, and star-like flowers floating on the surface.
Water-lily plants in the garden pond
Water lilies are reliable and easy to grow, making them a good choice for beginners. They open in the morning and close after sunset, with each flower lasting three or four days before sinking below the surface. The flowers appear from spring to autumn and bloom in nearly every color except blue and purple. Tropical water lilies offer exotic colors and need a little more attention, but the effect is worth it. Night-blooming varieties can have bright, almost electric colors. Tropical lilies need water temperatures above 21 degrees Celsius, and their tubers must be removed from the pond in winter.
Water lilies in the garden pond – step by step
1. Use a wide, shallow container. A good size is about 30 x 45 x 25 cm, with a depth of around 15 cm. The tuber, similar to an iris rhizome, expands horizontally. If the container has drainage holes, line it with fabric to keep the soil in place. Soil that washes out can cloud the pond water.
2. Use heavy garden soil rather than a light mix that can float out of the container. Avoid soil mixtures with perlite, vermiculite, or peat for the same reason. Enrich the soil with fertilizer made especially for aquatic plants.
3. Remove old leaves and thick, fleshy old roots. Leave the new leaves, emerging buds, and fine new roots.
4. Plant the tuber against the side of the pot, with the growing tip angled upward at about 45 degrees and pointing toward the center of the container.
5. Cover the soil with a layer of stones or gravel to keep it in the pot.
6. Lower the planted pot into the pond at an angle so air can escape. The leaves should float on the surface. If the pond is deeper than 45 cm, place the pot on a support.
How to prepare pond lilies for winter
Prepare your lilies for winter by removing dead leaves in autumn. If the pond freezes in your climate, remove the lily together with its container. Store the whole container in a cool, damp place inside a plastic bag. If you cannot store the entire pot, remove and clean the tuber and keep it in peat at 5-10 degrees Celsius.
If the pond does not freeze solid, you do not need to remove the pot. Move it to the deepest part of the pond, where the water does not freeze completely. In spring, return the pot to the proper level.
Tips for clear pond water
Keep your pond clean and attractive with a balanced approach. Do not overfertilize the plants, because excess nutrients feed algae and turn the water green. Do not overfeed fish or keep too many fish for the size of the pond. Remove decaying vegetation. Make sure about 60 percent of the pond is shaded by water lilies and other suitable plants. Keep the water oxygen-rich with fountains or waterfalls. Avoid chemical algae treatments that can harm plants, fish, and beneficial bacteria living in the pond.
Anna Lohan
miranda_shida
Yolande A. Bow
