Popular Aquatic Water Lilies Listed By Color For Water Garden Ponds

Beautiful Aquatic Water Lilies or Lotus Flowers

For all their beauty and splendor water lily plants are relatively easy to grow. These aquatic water plants need deeper pond water that is still and free from splashing water.

Water lilies are also known as Nymphaea and Lotus flowers and are generally either hardy water lilies or tropical water lilies. They are classified as type 1 aquatic plants. The major difference between the tropical pond lilies and the hardy pond lilies is their ability to withstand cold water conditions.

Aquatic water lilies come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Some pond keepers refer to them as deep water marginal plants. The depth of water needed varies between species but is normally from 6 inches deep upwards. Lily aquatics are vigorous growers.

Nymphaea develop strong roots and large leaves that float gracefully on the pond water surface, acting as a temporary home for small frogs. These beautiful leaves are a great hiding place for pond fish from the dreaded herons and king fishers. The aquatic lily plant depending upon species will either be a night time bloomer or a day time bloomer.

Lotus flowers are without a doubt one of the most beautiful pond plant species and grow naturally all over the world. Each type has its own distinctive characteristics, behavior and likes. Some are known for their sheer magnificence, whilst others are also fragrant as well as beautiful.

The hardy water lily hybrids descend mainly from North West Europe and USA parents root stock, such as the Nymphaea alba odorata and Nymphaea tuberosa. The Yellow and orange colored varieties owe much of their existence to the semi tropical Nymphaea mexicana and other wild species.

Lotus flowers develop tuberous rootstocks that grow by about 6 inches or more yearly. These strong roots spread across the pond floor.

Allow for this when planting in a large pot or tub by placing the tuber right back against the edge with growing point inwards. Hardy plants should be planted at an angle; tropical water lilies should be planted upright.

Nymphaea water lily varieties ... 10 cm = 4 inches, 1 sq meter = 10 sq feet

Nymphaea Name Depth of Water Spread sq meter Water Lillie Color Description of  Pond Lillie
    1 sqm = 10 sq ft    
Alba 1 - 3 ft 1.50 to 2.00 white An indigenous lily with green foliage that can grow in water up to 3 meters deep. Blooms are 10-15 cm across.
Gladstoniana 1 - 3 ft 1.50 to 2.50 white Pure white, very large cup-shaped blooms with golden stamens. Dark green foliage. Very suitable for pools or lakes.
Marliacea Albida 1 to  2.3 ft 1.00 to 1.25 white Prolific fragrant white flowers stand just above the water surface. Green foliage.
odorata minor 9 to 14 inch 0.40 to 0.60 white Star-shaped fragrant blooms. Pale green leaves with red undersides.
odorata 1 - 3 ft 0.75 to 1.00 white Tuberous rooted variety with medium sized fragrant blooms and pale green foliage.
pygmaea Alba 6 to 14 inch 0.40 to 0.60 white Probably a form of N. tetragona. Miniature white flowers. Can be propagated from seed.
tuberosa Richardsonii 1 - 3 ft 0.75 to 1.25 white Vigorous free flowering variety with pure white globular flowers and green sepals.
Collosea 1 - 3 ft 1.25 to 2.00 white Very large flesh colored blooms from spring until autumn.
Amabilis 2 to 3ft 0.75 to 1.50 pink Salmon pink stellate flowers. Dark green foliage.
Fabiola 18 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.25 pink Large open blooms. Rich pink color tinged with white. Broad rounded petals with mahogany stamens and deep green foliage.
Laydekeri Lilacea 25 to 50 0.75 to 1.00 pink Soft rose to carmine fragrant blooms.
Laydekeri Lucida 18 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.00 pink Star-shaped pale pink flowers deepening with age. Bronze-maroon marbled markings on olive-green leaves.
Marliacea Carnea 12 to 28 inch 1.00 to 1.25 pale pink A free flowering variety. The pinky-white blooms are more notable when the plant has become well established. Also known as 'Morning Glory'.
Mrs Richmond 1 - 3 ft 1.00 to 1,25 deep pink Very large, globe-shaped, deep pink flowers with prolific green foliage.
odorata Firecrest 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 deep pink Fragrant flowers, petals lie widely open, red-tipped stamens stand erect in the centre.
odorata William B.Shaw 18 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.25 pink Cup-shaped pink flowers, fading with age. Reddish foliage.
pygmaea Rubra 4 to 12 inch 0.30 to .040 deep pink The flowers are reddish-pink, gradually changing to deeper red. The green foliage has a reddish underside.
Rene Gerard 12 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.00 deep pink The free flowering rosy-pink stellate blooms are splashed with crimson.
tuberosa Rosea 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.80 pink A strong growing variety with medium-sized soft pink flowers and light green leaves.
Solfatare 10 to 16 inch 0.60 to 0.90 rose/yellow Pale yellow flowers flushed with rose. Leaves are mottled with maroon.
Laydekeri Rosea 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 rose Deep rose, cup shaped flowers float flat upon the water throughout summer.
Madame Wilfron Gonnere 24 to 35 inch 0.75 to 1.50 rose-pink Large double rose-pink flowers.
Marliacea Rosea 12 to 28 inch 1.00 to 1.25 rose pink Large fragrant pink flowers intensify towards the centre. Full coloring develops when well established.
Masaniello 1 - 3 ft 1.00 to 1.25 deep rose Vigorous and scented free variety having deep rose blooms.
odorata Rosea 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 1.00 rose pink Has been known to grow after being dried out for many years. Rose-pink flowers, deepening towards the centre.
odorata Turicensis 16 to 30 inch 1.00 to 1.50 soft rose Free-flowering and sweetly scented.
Rose Arey 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.75 rose- pink Large stellate rose-pink flowers with slightly incurved petals. A fragrant free-flowering variety.
Rosennymphe 12 to 28 inch 0.50 to 0.75 deep rose Large deep rose fragrant blooms are produced abundantly throughout the season.
Attraction 1 - 3 ft 0.75 to 1.25 red Large deep red blooms approximately 15-20 cm across. Frequently flowers pink until well established
Charlene de Meurville 1 - 3 ft 1.00 to 1. 50 red A very prolific variety with large wine colored blooms up to 25 cm across.
Conqueror 12 to 28 inch 1.00 to 1.50 red Brilliant red flowers darkening towards the centre and flecked with white.
Escarboucle 26 to 48 inch 1.00 to 1.75 red Extremely large crimson blooms. A very prolific lily best suited to deep water.
Froebelii 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.75 red Deep red medium sized-flowers. This variety is suitable for small to medium sized pools.
James Brydon 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 red Rich carmine-red cup-shaped flowers. Maroon color foliage slightly marked with darker blotches.
Laydekeri Fulgens 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 red Crimson magenta flowers with orange-red stamens.
Laydekeri Purpurata 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 red Free flowering, small to medium rosy-crimson blooms, slightly spotted and flecked with white.
Maurice Laydekeri 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.25 red Is of poor constitution and rarely seen in cultivation. The flowers are a deep rose-red flecked with white.
Vesuve 18 to 28 inch 0.60 to 0.80 red Large red blooms with slightly mottled foliage.
William Falconer 18 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.00 red Very dark red flowers. The young foliage is red but changes to green with age.
Aurora 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 1.00 yellow/orange/red Free flowering, mottled foliage. Opening yellow, become orange the next day, turning dark red by the third. Known as variable.
Charlene Strawn 12 to 28 inch 0.50 to 1.30 yellow Hardy lily that holds its flower well above the surface of the water. Excellent bloomer and a prolific grower.
Colonel A. J. Welch 50 to 150 0.75 to 1.75 yellow Canary yellow flowers stand above the water. The foliage is very prolific.
Graziella 12 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.75 reddish-yellow The reddish-yellow blooms become lighter with age. The foliage is heavily mottled with purple.
Marliacea Chromatella 12 to 36 inch 0.75 to 1.00 yellow Primrose-yellow blooms with bright yellow stamens. The olive-green foliage is heavily mottled with bronze markings.
Moorei 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 yellow Fine yellow blooms with bright stamens. Heavily spotted green foliage.
odorata Sulphurea 5 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.75 yellow Tuberous rooted variety with purple blotched leaves. Yellow blooms stand above the water.
pygmaea Helvola 4 to 10 inch 0.25 to 0.40 yellow Prolific tiny star-shaped soft yellow flowers. The green foliage has maroon blotched and streaks.
Paula Harriot 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 copper Apricot yellow changing to orange-pink. Maroon spotted foliage
Sioux 20 to 42 inch 0.50 to 1.00 yellow/copper Flowers open a soft yellow but change to a reddish copper.
Sunrise 12 to 28 inch 0.75 to 1.25 yellow A good yellow lily with very large fragrant blooms. The green leaves have a red underside flecked with brown. Better suited indoors.
Comanche 12 to 20 inch 0.75 to 1.00 orange Flowers turn to bronze and are held clear of the water.
Indiana 5 to 20 inch 0.50 to 0.75 orange red The blooms open orange-red and gradually mature to copper-red. Foliage is heavily spotted with purple.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the exact plant species that you are looking for. By clicking the following link you will be able to see a comprehensive list of water garden plants showing both their English and Latin plant names to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Click here to learn how to divide your hardy water lilies in 5 easy steps ....

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