| In depth discussion is found in the book 1101 Water Gardening Questions and Answers by Richard Lee.
Spreads: Most water lilies will reach typical spreads across the surface of the pond of 2-3 feet when planted into Tricker's aquatic "large" crates. However, if planted into an "extra large" crate the water lilies will grow to larger sizes that often become typical of the book descriptions in size. There are special "pygmy" water lilies that will spread less than the 2-3 feet. These are often selected for tub gardening or for that special place in your water garden pool that needs a water lily in miniature.
Sunlight Requirements: Most water lilies require at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. However, Trickers Nurseries has developed some varieties that can still bloom and grow with reduced light such as the tropical water lilies 'Patricia', 'Independence', 'Janice', 'Blue Bird', 'Panama Pacific' and included are from other hybridizers are varieties such as 'August Koch' and 'Dauben'. All of these varieties you will find in Tricker's on line store! Hardy varieties are not known for less sunlight, and typically require full sunlight.
Blooming Characteristics: It is well known that the tropical water lily will produce far more blooms than the hardy variety. The tropical water lilies will typically produce a multitude of flowers all summer long that stand high out the water! The hardy variety, typically floating on the surface of the water, will prepare for winter by making a tuber and reduce blooms as fall approaches. There are many hardy hybrids that are extremely beautiful and produce a wonderful amount of flowers during the year. Tricker's offers collections of water lilies that include both hardy and tropical varieties so that the customer can try both the hardy and tropical varieties to witness for themselves the outstanding characteristics of each. Thus, by growing both the hardy and tropical water lilies can result in a full summer of water lily blooms! However, it is by far worth the effort to grow tropical water lilies that produce a multitude of blooms!
Growth Rates: Again, there is no competition to the growth rate of the tropical water lily. The tropical water lily will grow rapidly during the summer months. Hardy water lilies typically will slow in growth if a summer is very hot.
Blooming Fragrances: Tropical water lilies are extremely fragrant and produce a wonderful aroma. In fact many water gardeners will enjoy the cut the flowers by floating them in a bowl of water indoors on the table (photograph in book 1101 Water Gardening Questions and Answers and also discusses how to keep the blossom open at night). The sight of the blossoms and fragrance is wonderful. Many hardy water lilies produce a slight, characteristic odor but are not known for their fragrances. However, cut hardy water lily blossoms can still be enjoyed floating in a bowl of water on a table as shown in our Tricker book.
Fertilizers: Water Lilies, as well as all aquatics, require a program of fertilization if the customer is to expect the descriptive flowers and plant size. Tricker offers two types of aquatic fertilizer to get the most from the water lily. A proven granular aquatic fertilizer, Tricker's Praefecta, that is used to mix into your top soil when planting and gives the water lily a good growing root and flower foundation. It is highly recommened that the top soil contains clay. Clay acted as a magnet in holding and attracting nutrients in the soil. Tricker's offers a product similar to clay, AMT which can be added to the top soil. The pellet fertilizer, Trico, is then used throughout the season to fertilizer the water lilies as it produces more leaves and blossoms. Water lilies will typically go into a dormancy if they are not correctly feed.
Night Blooming Water Lilies: The tropical and hardy day blooming lilies all close during the late afternoon and into the night. Only tropical varieties of night blooming water lilies are available. The tropical night blooming water lilies typically open late in the day and close early the next morning (depending upon sunlight). This allows the water gardener to see the water lily blossom before going to work in the morning and enjoying them when they come home. The spectacular sight in moonlight is indescribable, the flowers appear as a glowing entity. If you never grew a night bloomer, try one and you will be pleasingly surprised at its beauty. In fact, they will not only out grow a hardy water lily, but will also out grow a tropical day blooming water lily...they are most spectacular!
How late in the year can the water lilies be planted? If you just built your pond and are wondering how late a lily could be bought depends upon your intent. Tropical water lilies typically will bloom until frost in many areas in the northern climates. So if you want blooms later in the year try the tropicals, they are know for their constant blooms! In the northern climates it is not unusual to have tropical water lilies blooming in October when autumn is approaching. Hardy water lilies can be transplanted up to the late fall in the northern climates. The hardy varieties are beginning a dormancy in these areas by late summer. By planting a hardy in the latter part of summer you insure the next year that when "nature" is ready to stimulate growth. This method is to ensure that the plant is already in place ready for a full season of growth.
Flower Colors: The tropical water lilies come in all colors of the rainbow and are especially known for the class of blue and purple flowers that are not found in the hardy varieties.
Mottling of the Pads: The mottling of the pads, with the green pads and dark color, are most pronounced in the tropical water lilies. For example, Leopardess, a well known and popular tropical water lily, is known for the dark mottling on the pads. Hardy water lilies have mottling but not as striking.
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