Water Gardens

Water gardens are a very attractive feature. Adding a simple pond or creating a series of pools can give your garden it's own unique character. There are many options available, and even a small shallow bird bath type water feature will still be a great way to attract wildlife into your garden.

The following small guides should provide some useful advice.

Aquatic Plants - Tropical Water Lillies

If you plan to grow this type of lily you should consider the environment that the pond is in, and also the average temperature of the water. Tropical water lilies cannot tolerate cold temperatures and you should research the growing requirements of the plant before you make any purchase.

Tropical water lilies should be planted in pots at least 10" in diameter (a smaller container will result in a smaller plant). A 10 to 14 inch fabric pot (or 10 x 6 to 12 x 7.3/4 inch plastic pot) should be adequate for each lily.

Fill the pot 1/2 full with a loam garden soil and add 2-4 fertilizer tablets, then continue to fill the pot to about 2 inches from the top. The tuber should be set upright with the roots buried gently in the soil. Make sure the tip of the tuber is not buried.

Top up the container with an inch or two of fine gravel or sand in order to prevent the soil from escaping. Remember to keep the gravel away from the crown of the tuber.

Place the container into the water to a depth of approximately 6 inches over the crown of the water lily.

As the plant grows, it can be lowered to a depth of 12 inches.

Planting too early can cause dormancy and restrict the potential growth of the plant. Tropical Water Lilies bloom from late spring through early autumn, depending on the weather.

Fertilizer tablets should be added every 3-4 weeks.