I've been growing container water gardens for about 5 years, but this is the first year I tried growing a lily, in this case the miniature Helvola. I thought I'd try it to see how it does. It's in the shade most the time, sheltered by other plants. It does get morning sun for a couple of hours and very late afternoon sun. I was thrilled to see the first bloom a couple of days ago. I think next year I might try a larger lily.
Yup, a bit of a gem is Helvola, one of the smallest water lilies to be found. When established, you can get flurries of 10-20 blooms with accurate use of fertilising
Chrysantha is a notch bigger, about twice the size, variegated lilypads... That likes part shade in a hot climate
Regards, andy
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/adavisus/
I do have two of the Helvola, and fertilized them both with spikes. Not sure what the proper fertilizing should be. Thanks for the suggestion about the Chrysantha, but 10-20 blooms would be amazing!
Thanks, Andy.
I don't have much sun either, but have found that medium-sized Colorado lillies do pretty well. It took a few years, but now they're really flourishing:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=3718130
jo
Congratulations on your first bloom! It's a thrill isn't it. If you have a spot with good sun, you might try a bowl lotus. You plant them in something about the size of a salad bowl.
Do you have other miniature water plants? What do you do with your container water garden in the winter in Colorado?
You have got to go check out adavisus at his photobucket site. He has a photo of a dragonfly as it emerges from the nymph stage. Wonderful photos.
Georgiajo those are beautiful Colorado lilies.
Jo, those are beautiful! Where did you get them?
Darlindeb, unfortunately my water garden (in a 24" tub) may or may not freeze solid. I've had arrowhead live through being in a solid block of ice, but haven't tried the water lilies through a winter yet. Mostly I put together a new water garden every year.
I have miniature cattails, a water forget-me-not, a lizard tail, and anacharis, plus two Helvola lilies.
So where would I find the photobucket site? Sounds fascinating!
Go back up to Andy's (adavisus) post on your thread here where it says Hyperlink @s93.photobucket.com. and click on it. I enjoyed looking at his photos.
Duh... Great photos!
revclaus - I think I bought my Colorados from Bonnies Plants (which specializes in water gardens). But they're fairly common. It is hard to find lillies that do well in the shade, but these have worked for me.
