Choosing Your Plants (Or Pick a Peck of Pickerel)
© Vicki Paull
Well, that is a little silly, at $10.00-$99.00 each they are kind of expensive to graze on. Still, they are undeniably a versatile plant. Picking the right lily is probably the most demanding part of raising them. You need to determine if you want hardy or tropical. In many areas of the country you will need to provide winter protection for tropical, the hardy are just that, hardy. Hildreth K. Morton in "Dig Magazine" has a great article about choosing the right lily.
They aren't really too picky, but do require an adequate amount of sunlight and space. Usually a minimum of six or more hours per day, although some will bloom with as little as four. Since Nymphaea comes in many sizes, you can grow them in anything from containers to lakes. Figure out where they will be in your pond and choose one that will grow in that depth, most need 8"-24" of water above the soil level. Also they do prefer still water so don't locate them under your fountain or waterfall!
That's it. They are about as accommodating as a plant can be, if you provide them with their few requirements they will bless you with blooms, perfume, and in a pinch ....salad!
Lovely Lotus (Nelumbo)
From Dwarf to Giant nothing, and I mean nothing, out shines a Lotus! They range in size from 2-6 plus feet in height, with flowers from 5"-12" or more across, in many colors, and leaves up to 30". It would seem that a small pond could not support these lovelies, think again. Even a little pond or container can support a lotus if you are able to give them full sun.
A lotus, depending on variety, needs to have the "growing point" no more than 4-6 inches under water. Obviously, you will want to plant them in a planting basket, and stand back! These are dramatic and breathtaking plants. Enjoy!
Some general planting instructions for the Lotus and Lily: Use of planting baskets is recommended, this enables you to locate each plant precisely and adjust for the depth requirements. Choose a basket with plenty of width for the roots to spread. I use a rich garden compost, well sifted, mixed with sand. Fill your basket half full and spread the roots out, begin to place more soil on and around the roots. Leave the growing point exposed enough that when you add one inch of pea gravel, it is still slightly above the planting medium. Soak the basket well and submerse at the proper depth, for lilies eight to twenty-four inches above the soil; for lotuses' four to six inches above the growing tip.
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