NYMPHAEA NOTES

• Waterlilies grow in soil. Any kind will do. It just has to be heavy enough to stay in the pot once in water.

• Plant the rhizome in a plastic waterlily pot with side openings. The plant will grow out of the pot and into the bottom of the pond. This is normal.

• As leaves die, they fall into the water and decay, providing all the fertiliser the plants need.

• They will not grow in moving water.

• A mature rhizome sprouts along its length and can be cut into smaller pieces (at least one spout per section) to create new plants. Leaves will grow immediately but the sprout will take about two years to flower.

• Buds form under the surface of the water. When it’s warm enough, flowers open with the heat of the day and close at night. They can also grow in leak-free tubs or glazed pots. To keep pond water clear, make sure it is weed free.

• Tropical waterlily flowers are held on a tall stem above the leaves, while the flowers of hardy waterlilies sit on the surface of the water. Depending on the variety, waterlily flowers last from about five to 10 days. •

Hardy types flower October to autumn; tropicals, in late December and can go through to winter.

• To buy: The Waterlily Garden (waterlily.co.nz), Fiesta Bulbs (fiestabulbs.co.nz), Glenbogal Aquatic (glenbogal.co.nz) and Redwood Aquatics (redwoodaquatics.co.nz).