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 - Hardy Water Lillies - Dividing and Repotting

Hardy water lilies should be divided every two or three years depending on the plant container size.

An average or large size water lily will be best suited to a five or seven gallon container. Smaller water lilies can be potted in a three to five gallon container. The container should be shallow and wide.

General guidelines

- Start by removing the soil from the water lily using a water hose to expose the rhizomes.

- Select the healthiest looking part of the rhizome which has good growth showing and cut to about three inches long, discard the remainder of the plant.

- Trim away excess roots and any damaged foliage from the selected piece.

- Avoid keeping the newly cut lily rhizome un-potted for any length of time, it is a good idea to have the new pot all ready to go, before you take the cutting.

- Prepare the container by filling about three quarters full of aquatic planting soil (clay loam is ideal) and 2 or 3 fertilizer tablets.)

Mound some soil against one side of the container and place the rhizome at a 45-degree angle with the cut edge against the pot and the growing point at the level the top of the soil will be. Add more soil to within a couple of inches of the top of the container. Firm the soil in place and add about one inch of fine gravel or sand to cover the soil, do not cover the growing point of the plant. Gently add some water to the container and then slowly lower the plant into the pond.

Initially you should place the plant just a few inches under the water for the first few weeks, this will ensure faster growth.

Once the plant is established, relocate the plant to the proper growing depth (12 to 18 inches of water over the top of the plant). It is a good idea to add appropriate fertilizer to the water lily each month to ensure strong healthy growth.