
Tropical
water lilies are amongst the most highly desired plants for
ponds in warmer climates, preferring water temperatures above 24°C. These magnificent plants produce flowers that
stand up to 30cm high, out of the pond water.
Some of the flower colours range from pinks to reds, whites and yellows,
but also some of the richest purples and blues.
Most tropical water
lilies flower during the daylight hours, but there are some that flower
during the night. See night flowering.
The flowers are often perfumed with
a hint of vanilla, sometimes ginger or a light citrus. Many varieties show off their real beauty,
producing an abundance of flowers, often with multiple flowers blooming at the
same time.
The leaves of hardy
water lilies tend to have smooth rounded edges, whereas tropical water lilies produce leaves with toothed or scalloped
edges. Many tropical
water lilies produce coloured leaves that are often streaked with
splashes of purples, maroons or browns. Their
leaf spread is generally greater than those of the hardy water lilies and
so perform better in medium to large ponds (>1.5m).
Can I grow tropical water
lilies in colder climates like Victoria and Tasmania?
The answer is
most definitely YES!!!!
At Oz
Watergardens we have trialled and successfully grown many varieties of tropical water lilies.
There are, no doubt, some varieties that will not survive. We found that out, the hard way. But, we have discovered a number of cold
tolerant varieties that do survive the colder conditions and even the ponds
freezing over. One of the best
performing and most cold tolerant varieties that we have come across is a deep
yellow variety called Nymphaea ' St. Louis Gold'. This is a prolific flowerer and is great for
the smaller ponds.
What if I want varieties of tropical water lilies that are not cold tolerant?
There is also the option of growing some tropical
water lilies and replacing them as you would for other garden
annuals. Some of the most striking
foliage, enticing flowers and beautiful perfumes can still be grown and enjoyed. The plants may not survive the cold of
Winter, but the real value comes from the fact that they can potentially
produce 4-5 times more flowers than many of the hardy water lilies.
Most people spend more on a bunch of roses that only last a week. For a similar outlay you could enjoy the
abundant flowers produced by truly stunning tropical
water lilies for 5 or 6 months.
What's more, you can even pick them for a vase inside or place them on
your outdoor table setting, when you are entertaining.
Please use our store
locator to contact your nearest garden centre, to place an order.
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