"kathleen syson" wrote after I wrote
Yesterday I managed to see some of the newer, mainly US bred, varieties
of
hardy water lily and was knocked out by their colour, beauty and habit.
If you are thinking of making a pond or want a new lily for an existing
pond
my I suggest you ignore the usual Aquatic Centre in the Garden Centre
that
have only the older varieties of mainly French bred lilies and search out
a
specialist grower.
Names to look for are....
Barbara Dobbins
Peaches and Cream
Peach Glow
and those are just some of the beautiful peach coloured ones, all of
which
carry their blooms above the water like the tropical lilies, and most
have
good fragrance.

I might add, the best time to buy and install a new lily is in May.

Very timely bit of advice that. Husband and I went a wandering to our
local
garden centre yesterday, to get some ideas for a new pond (last one was
removed many years ago when daughter was at that vulnerable age).
Needless
to say we have now forgotten most of what we knew. Any suggestions where
we
should look to find the ones you suggest. (we are in Derbyshire) Grateful
for any advice. Also extremely useful to know that May is the best time
to
plant lilies.

May is the best time to plant/move any of the water plants, they should be
in good growth when disturbed (unlike normal perennials) because they are in
a medium which is going to cause rot at the slightest opportunity.
It's also a good time to get new fish, as, like the plants, it gives them
the most time to establish before the long British winter.

I saw my new plant (Peach Glow) at..
Lilies Water Garden, Broad Lane, Newdigate, Surrey, RH5 5AT. Tel:-01306
631064 . I read somewhere they have about 90 varieties of water plants but
don't quote me on it. :-)
They may well deliver to, or supply, somewhere near you.

There is also the following but I don't know what stock they have because
their web site doesn't work properly ! ....
Dorset Water Lily Co, Yeovil Road, Halstock, Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 9RR. Tel
:-01953 891668 www.dorse****erlily.co.uk/

Neither are near you I'm afraid but they might know who can supply you if
you phone, however, that doesn't give you the opportunity to look at the
flowers before purchase. If you find out what stock they have then you could
check out pictures on an US lily nursery site (Google search?).
--
Regards
Bob
in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK