Will this plant survive outdoors in Dutch winter ?

Hello to all,

I am a Dutchman, having a garden bordering on a small canal starting with a small patch of bog followed gradually by deeper water. Two years ago I bought a nice, probably tropical water plant, which planted in a large basket in water 1 foot deep, does very well. It makes nice large leaves on 3 - 6 feet long stalks (see picture) and small purple flower plumes, also on a long stalk. Unfortunately I lost the name of the plant. Last year I cut off the leaves in November and had the plant inside in a tub with water at 0 - 10 "C until spring. This year it grew new leaves vigorously and flowered again. Because it is rather large now, I must decide how to let it survive this winter. Temperature in my area normally does not go below -7"C in winter (Dutch coastal area)
My questions:
# What is the name of this plant?
# To what temperature is it hardy outside?
# If I must take it inside in winter, what is the best way to keep it?

Thanks in advance

Louis Harmsen

The plant is Thalia Dealbata, 'hardy Thalia' is one nickname... It cannot tolerate freezing, but, if it is placed in deeper waters below the freeze line it can survive Winter to grow from the rhisomes and roots that survived Winter freezes below the ice

If you can find a rooted section and cut a division off it, it can grow in a well lit position indoors in a tub of water kept a little fertile, as a houseplant.

As aquatics go, it's 'fairly easy to keep' as long as it does not freeze solid in ice at the rhisome and roots

Regards, andy

Andy,

Your information is great help to me. As winters in Holland are fairly mild nowadays, I think I can keep the plant outside under water (almost) all winter.

I will also cut off a rooted section and try your suggestion to grow it indoors.

Thanks a lot

Louis