Waterlily and Lotus
Waterlilies (Nymphaea) and lotus (Nelumbo) are jewels of the aquatic world. They are celebrated for their beauty and immortalized in art and religion. Many of them are easy to grow and reward the gardener with fragrant and sumptuous blossoms from June until October
Types of Waterlilies
There are two main divisions of waterlilies: hardy and tropical. Hardy waterlilies will survive our winters if planted below the freezing line in a water feature, while tropical waterlilies need to be stored over the winter or treated as annuals.
Planting Tips
Plant waterlilies in large plastic containers or baskets specifically designed for aquatic plants. Line the baskets with burlap, landscape fabric, or newspaper (so that the soil does not fall through the cracks).
The containers should be large enough to allow the rhizome room to spread. Because the rhizomes creep across the surface of the soil, a wider pot is preferable to a deeper one.
Pond Alternatives
Don't have a pond? A whiskey barrel or planter is a great alternative. In fact, this planter (at 13 inches high and 23 inches in diameter) is a striking ornament for your outdoor garden.
Make sure to research the ultimate size of your waterlily. A waterlily with a 6-foot spread will not thrive in a whiskey barrel or a small tub; but there are plenty of options available on the market.
Color Your Garden
If you do have a pond, add more color to your garden with these beautiful new watering accessories. Dramm offers durable, high-performance options in a variety of colors. How about a purple hose to go with your pink waterlilies?
Guaranteed Blooms
Each flower on the waterlily lasts 3 to 5 days. They open during the day and close at night (unless they are nocturnal). Once the flower is finished, it will slowly sink into the water.
To ensure many blooms, cut the dying flowers as they sink below the surface. Follow the stem down as far as it goes; also clean off dead or dying leaves.
Love Your Lotus
Lotus will be hardy if the tuberous rhizomes do not freeze. Plant the containers so that the soil line is below the freezing mark in your pool. This can be 6 to 18 inches deep, depending on the size of your water feature. Lotus, like waterlilies, prefer 6 or more hours of sunlight.
Lotus Care Tips
Lotus die back at the end of the year. Cut them down to a few inches above the rhizome. Be patient with them in the spring as they are late to emerge. They prefer warm weather and will start to grow once the water temperature has risen above 70 degrees.
Don't forget TAX FREE Weekend August 11th and 12th. We at Imperial have all the proper tools for you to clear an area for your new water feature!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY :IMPERIALSERVICESINC.COM
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