They are prolific growers and are easy to care for in the order of day lilies and hostas. They appreciate fertilizing every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season and they should be divided every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

Water lilies are without exception sun-loving, but some varieties will nevertheless do well in part-shade. Others will grow in shady spots but will put out few, if any, blooms. They do not like potting soil, or even regular garden soil; water lilies do best in clay-rich soil that has little or no organic matter (so avoid manure or compost) in it. For detailed instructions on how to plant, fertilize and divide water lilies, see our pond guide.

Hardy varieties will grow into Canada (zone 3), while tropicals will not winter above the deep south (zones 10-11). However, many water lily enthusiasts have been known to take their tropicals indoors for the winter, and tropicals can be grown as annuals in colder climates.

For detailed information on when, how and to where water lilies are shipped, click here.

Most beginning water gardeners underestimate the amount of water lilies required to keep a healthy pond. It is estimated that at least 50% of the water's surface should be covered by plants at all times. For smaller ponds and ponds in full sun this number goes up to 70%.

The reason: ponds are not meant to be as small as most of ours are. Because of their size, they accumulate disproportionate levels of heat (from sunlight) and nitrogen (from animal waste and decomposition). These elements lead to algae blooms and a bevy of other problems. Plants block sunlight, keeping the pond cool and inhibiting algae growth. They also absorb nitrogen, the other key ingredient of algae blooms. Furthermore, they're beautiful!

Other information that may be useful when perusing our water lily sections: certain types of water lily spread out more than others. Your having a small pond does not mean that you must have small lilies, but use the size indications as a guide so that you know what to expect. And viviparous lilies are those that produce tiny seedlings right from their leaves, and these can be planted and grown.