As the warm weather begins, we are noticing leaves on the water lilies, well-known for their distinctive lily pads as well as their showy flowers, are growing bigger. This growth not only adds elegance to your water feature but aids the protection of goldfish.
Like other perennials, water plants need lots of light, appropriate soil (good quality topsoil or clay-loam soil), fertilizer, depth of water and pruning to thrive. Each leaf lives three to four weeks then turns yellow and dies. Prompt removal of yellowing leaves at the soil level encourages new leaves to appear.
Diversity of water and bog plants is as important for visual interest as those planted in your perennial beds. When visiting the Nursery, ask to see frogbits, water hyacinth, water lettuces, and the many healthy and thriving accompaniment plants such as blooming cannas for your water feature.