Water Lily

£18.99

Position: full sun
Depth of water: 75-150cm (30-60in)
Rate of growth: fast-growing
Ultimate spread: 150cm (60in)
Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in) Flowering period: June to September
Hardiness: fully hardy
Showy, vanilla-scented, semi-double, pale pink flowers with golden-yellow centres appear from June to September. This popular water lily often produces white flowers the first year after planting. Best planted at a depth of 45-75cm (18-30in), it needs plenty of space, so makes an excellent choice for a lake or large, deep, wildlife pond, where the dark green leaves create a shady underwater habitat for native fish and amphibians. The shade cast by the foliage also helps to check the spread of algae. Garden care: Plant firmly in a hessian-lined aquatic planting basket filled with aquatic compost. Apply a 2.5cm (1in) top-dressing of pea shingle or gravel to prevent the top layer of the planting medium from clouding the water. The crown of the plant should protrude slightly above the surface of the planting basket. Raise the basket on bricks when the plant is young, gradually lowering them as the plant matures, so that the leaves float on the surface.

Our community of gardeners have a wealth of experience, beautiful garden and great photos, discover more on the following pages: pond ideas.