How many waterlilies will look balanced in your pond water area?
Waterlily spread:
This is the number of waterlilies you should consider for your pond size based on the coverage of each type. It is not how far each waterlily will spread but this allows for free water around each plant.
- Miniature waterlilies (Pygmaea Helvola, Pygmaea Rubra) so 1 in an area of water 0.5mx0.5m (19"x19" approx) in the smallest pond.
- Dwarf waterlilies (Aurora, Perry's Baby Red, Paul Hariot, Xiafei) so 1 in an area of water 1m square (39"x39") best for a small pond
- Medium waterlilies (Gloriosa Black Princess odorata alba) 1 in an area of water 1.5m square (58"x58")
- Large waterlilies (Alba, Attraction, Gladstoniana, Marliacaea Carnea) so 1 in an area of water 2m square (78"x78") for large ponds or a swim pond
Water depth:
Remember that the depth of water is vital to any waterlily and you need to follow the depth requirements of each waterlily type.
- To position a miniature or dwarf waterlily with a small spread in a pond or container deeper than 25cm (10") place it on bricks or a basket full of gravel.
- This is to raise it to the depth of water specified on the accompanying ticket for 'above the top' of the basket.
- A large waterlily in a shallower pond will reach its optimum size quicker than expected as it will grow well in the warmer shallow water and will spread wider.
To start a new Pond waterlily in your pond:
- Place it on a shallower depth shelf than its ultimate depth shelf for a Summer season.
- Put all waterlilies in at least 15cm/6" water depth by Autumn so they are below ice level in Winter
- Starting shallower gives your pond a good area of leaf coverage in the short term.
- When it is as wide as you want, drop it down to a deeper water depth in Autumn.
- It will produce taller stems the next season that do not spread as wide across the surface.
