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Height: 12-36"
Spacing: 2 to 6 feet
Light: Full sun to light shade
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Pronunciation: NIM-fee-uh (or nim-FAY-ee-ah)
A mainstay of the water garden. Classified as hardy because they can survive through freezing winters in the pond, unlike tropical water lilies which must be protected from freezing.
Select cultivars suitable for the depth of your water garden, as they must be able to reach the water's surface.
Leaves float and are round with a deep notch on where the leaf stalk is attached. Flowers float or stand above water on stiff stalks. Blooms appear throughout summer and may be white, yellow, copper, pink or red, depending on the cultivar. Most hardy water lilies require at least six hours of sunlight, although some will flower with less. Pinch off dead leaves and flowers to encourage new growth.
Position plants where water is relatively calm; they resent constant jostling from waterfalls or fountains.
To do well, large-sized containers are essential. Most species grow rapidly and need repotting every two or three years but divide only when necessary - the more frequently the plant is divided, the fewer flowers it will produce.
Use clay soil or sand for planting in containers. Add fertilizer to the container when transplanting. Fertilize plants each year in ponds without fish; if you have fish, they will provide adequate fertilizer for established plants.
