Water Lilies

Water lilies are a perennial blooming aquatic plant that can be grown in any USDA hardiness zone.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/ The botanical name for the water lily is Nymphaeacea, of which there are over 70 species.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Tree&id=4410&lvl=3&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock The plant features aquatic blooms that float on the water's surface and pad-like green vegetation.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/

The different varieties of plants can be distinguished through differences in leaf shapes, the general time blooms appear and colors. While many varieties bloom during the day, some night-blooming varieties offer electric-colored large blooms. Blooming may require a minimum temperature.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/ Hardy water lilies, which bloom only during the day, are more flexible about their culture and care.http://www.water-gardens-information.com/water-lilies.html Water lilies grow from large rhizome roots and form flexible stalks. Flowers grow out of the stalks.http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/database/emergent_plants/white_water_lily.htm

Water lilies need an aquatic environment to thrive and many varieties need at least 6 hours of sunlight in order to properly bloom.http://www.water-gardens-information.com/water-lilies.html The plants are known as voracious eaters that need frequent aquatic fertilizers for bloom production. Gardeners could consider using commercial pond fertilizer pellets labeled for use on water lilies.http://www.water-gardens-information.com/feedingwaterlilies.html

Lilies prefer to grow in water with a low to neutral pH. Slightly acidic water conditions may cause water lilies to look sickly and brown. The lilies generally go dormant during winter in areas with significant temperature drops. Water lilies will survive most outdoor winter conditions, as long as the plants do not freeze. Plants may need to be removed from ponds and placed in indoor pots in areas with routine freezes. Most plants last for 3 to 4 weeks, then they yellow and die.http://www.springdalewatergardens.com/plants/hl.html

Water lilies are hearty plants that are fairly resilient under most normal growing conditions. While hearty varieties can usually remain outdoors, damage may occur to tropical varieties left in water colder than 70 degrees F.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/ Over fertilizing water lilies can cause the algae in ponds to over-grow. Excessive algae growth can create a pond that is green-tinted.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/ Additionally, chemical water treatments can hurt water lilies and upset the natural balance of animals and plants in ponds.http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/growing-water-lilies/?page=2

The primary pests for water lilies are bacteria. Water splashed on water lily pads by constant moving water can cover the stomata of the plant and allow bacteria to enter and multiply within the plant To prevent bacteria, some gardeners place water lilies away from water fountains in stagnant water that is between eighteen and thirty inches deep.http://www.water-gardens-information.com/water-lilies.html