Waterlilies

The sumptuous bowl-shaped blooms come in various colours and sizes. They float on the water, or stand just above it, throughout the summer months, surrounded by flat circular leaves.

Hardy waterlilies like a sunny spot in a still pond, with enough space to accommodate their size, whether large, medium or small. They are vigorous plants, so benefit from an annual feed. Tropical waterlilies need warm conditions.

Waterlilies won’t perform well when overcrowded or congested, so give them plenty of space and divide every few years. They dislike flowing water. Tropical waterlilies can’t survive in cold water.

Plants such as waterlilies not only improve the look of a pond, they also improve its health and value to wildlife too. They provide shelter for many types of pondlife and cast shade that deters algae. They should ideally cover about half the surface area.