I have a young pond (about 3 years old). It is well stocked, filtered and reasonably balanced, and, most pertinent -- BIG. fo the area I am in a subdivision of 1/3 acre lots, and we have a community well. Unusually for BC, the water is on the hard side. My pond is about 25 x 20 at the widest and is 4 ft deep with straight sides to protect fish from herons and raccoons.
this is all just context-- a little more relevant than "one of my koi is named Reggie".
anyhow, my question is -- does anyone have a preferred candidate for a pond about 4 feet deep????? I have seen Perry's super Red, which seems ideal, but can;t find it in Canada. I hasten to add that I have some smaller lilies and have divised some clever systems for raising them higher mid pond, but I would like a plant that I could heartlessly leave on the bottom and which grows like stink.
thanks in advance
Marian
WATERLILY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE
I have nothing to contribute ... just wanted to "voice" my chuckle over the phrase "grows like stink!" hahahaha
The golden oldies N. 'Attraction', N. alba (Linnaeus), N. odorata, would "grow like stink" ;) in your pond and certainly have a large enough spread hortensia.
Other suggestions (that can be found in Canada ;):
Gladstone ...the large, bowl-shaped flowers have a very slight fragrance. This large, vigorous lily is ideal for large ponds.
Very Large White
Ray Davies.......The large, full pink blooms open further than older cultivars. This beautiful lily is best displayed in a large pond.
Very Large Pink
Yellow Sensation........This large, fast growing lily is great for deeper locations (3-4 feet). The large blooms are yellow and very full, a good bloomer.
Large Yellow
Splendida.......Established plants have spectacular red flowers with white sepals giving the plant a striped look from a distance. The flowers on this interesting lily are deep pink on a newly established or underfertilized plant.
Medium/Large Red
Mme Wilfron Gonnere.....This lily has peony style, large pink blooms. It is a good, reliable bloomer and will tolerate partial shade.
Large Pink
Fire Opal.......This free flowering lily has outstanding deep pink blossoms with a delightful fragrance. The large blooms and peony shaped flowers make it one of the best new hybrids available today.
Medium/Large Pink
Mayla........An outstanding bright colour. This lily has 'wow' value!
Large Pink
Barbara Dobbins.........So outstanding, it looks like a tropical lily. With mulitcoloured petals and flowers held out of the water, this lily is spectacular.
Large Peach/Yellow/Orange
Conqueror..........Large Red
Virginalis...........Large White
I must admit Perry's Fire Opal and Mayla are two of my favourites. Can't say they grow as fast as Attraction but they are much prettier. ;)
BTW welcome to Dave's and a big wave "Hello" from Pam in sunny ☼ Saskatchewan.
This message was edited Sep 9, 2005 11:49 PM
Thank you so much for that info Lilypon. The sources I have read so far are good at describing the SPREAD of lilies, but not so clear about the depth tolerated.
I know that I can get Attraction, ("I can get that.....that Attraction, cause I've tried..." .sorry, just not the same without the drums)
Not sure about the others, but I will begin to search!!!!
Dang heron appeared beside my pond yesterday. Protective planting had been moved to allow for buildng a new patio. Took less than a week!!! (for the heron to show up,I mean)
Didn't get anyone, not even Reggie, but still I spent the day moving temporary fortifications into place.
You're welcome. :) My ponds aren't as large as yours but two of them have the same depth as yours.
I've got:
Alibida
Alba
Yellow Sensation
Madame Wilfon Gonnere
Mayla
Perry's Fire Opal
and
Barbara Dobbins (amongst others)
edited to say I have also had
Attraction
growing at those depths.
Pixydish I've got 30 different cultivars of water lilies (between my Dad and myself) and last year we had a very cool summer and only 5 varieties bloomed. :( AND only two of them set up numerous blooms that pathetic summer.
This message was edited Sep 10, 2005 9:49 PM
A little more detail on some of the above:
N. 'gladstone' or 'gladstonia'.....an ideal plant for a large water garden or natural pond.
N. 'Ray Davies'.....for best results, plant it in a large container and allow it to form a colony of rhizomes. It will then produce quite an abundance of flowers. This lily is ideal for a large pool or natural pond.
N. 'Madame Wilfron Gonnere' can be grown in small, medium or large pools. It has a much smaller leaf spread however.
I should note that of the water lilies available here (in Canada) I have found the majority of larger spread/deeper water nymphaea tend to have the odorata rhizome.........they very quick growing compared to the majority of marliac rhizomes..
Lilypon/Pam
do you have a local supplier for your lilies?? There are quite a few here, but most of the lilies seem to be for smaller ponds. Colour changers (which I also love, btw) seem to be very popular.
Can't quite imagine how online sales would work, though I have found a site in BC advertising lilies of larger spread (LOLS?) but still waiting to hear back from them.
bud on Charlene Strawn today.
:>)
M
I'll keep an eye open for you Marian....some years we get quite a selection and others it seems that everyone is getting the same varieties. I'll also check my water lilies to see if any of the large ones are ready to divide.....but I think it might be another year or two.