Selecting the Best Hardy Water Lilies for Small Ponds
A glistening pond filled with lush green lily pads and vibrant blooms is a charming addition to any garden. However not all water lilies are right for small ponds. To enjoy success growing water lilies in petite ponds focus your search on compact, dwarf varieties.
What Makes a Pond “Small”?
When selecting water lilies, the first step is determining if your pond truly qualifies as small. Here are some general guidelines on pond sizes:
- Small pond: Less than 100 square feet surface area; 1-2 feet deep
- Medium pond: 100-300 square feet surface area; 2-3 feet deep
- Large pond: Over 300 square feet surface area; 3+ feet deep
Larger, spreading water lily varieties can overwhelm tiny ponds. Choose petite lilies for ponds under 100 square feet and 1-2 feet deep. These compact water gardens will showcase dwarf lilies best.
Best Hardy Lilies for Small Ponds
Here are top performers to consider for your petite pond:
- Baby Red – Vibrant red and green color, blooms late spring to fall, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Helvola – Bright yellow 2-3 inch blooms, heavily mottled round leaves, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Hermine – Classic white flowers with yellow centers, blooms spring to fall, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Pygmy – Pale yellow blooms, round green lily pads, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Mini Yellow Sensation – Sunny yellow blooms, compact growth habit, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Perry’s Baby Red – Vivid reddish blooms, green rounded leaves, leaves spread 1-2 feet
- Chubby – Lavender-pink flowers, green speckled leaves, leaves spread 1-3 feet
These hardy dwarf lily varieties thrive in small ponds, providing color and interest without overwhelming the compact space.
Planting Hardy Water Lilies
When introducing water lilies to your petite pond, follow these tips:
- Plant in spring once water temperature is above 60°F.
- Plant in ponds 1-2 feet deep, with 5+ hours of sun.
- Use loamy potting mix formulated for aquatic plants.
- Plant crowns just above the soil surface.
- Fertilize with tablets formulated for water lilies.
- Space plants 1-2 feet apart to prevent crowding.
- Add a thin layer of gravel or sand to prevent soil from disbursing.
Proper planting and care will give your petite hardy lilies the best start. Be sure to give them adequate fertilizer and ample sun exposure.
Caring for Hardy Water Lilies
To keep your compact water lilies thriving season after season:
- Fertilize monthly with underwater tablets during the growing season.
- Prune dead leaves and spent blooms regularly to encourage new growth.
- Thin congested plants to improve air circulation and light.
- Propagate by dividing crowded root crowns every 2-3 years.
- Monitor water quality and pH to prevent algae and nutrient deficiencies.
- In winter, cut back foliage and sink pots to the bottom of the pond.
With a little TLC, your hardy dwarf lilies will flourish in petite ponds for years of beauty.
Enjoying Hardy Water Lilies
Water lilies instantly lend ponds elegance and tranquility. By selecting compact varieties suited to small water features, any garden can benefit from these aquatic wonders. Be sure to shop our top selections of hardy dwarf water lilies specifically bred for maximizing charm in small ponds. Soon you’ll enjoy a personal paradise filled with their delightful blossoms.
Dwarf and Small Hardy Water Lilies Dwarf and Small Hardy Water Lily Varieties grow mainly in 6 to 18 inches of water, they will not do well with koi over 6 inches but are fine with all goldfish. They still love as much direct sunlight as you can provide as well as 3 fertilizer tablets per month or half the treatment of landon waterlily fertilizer that you may treat a large variety. We would never recommend surrounding these with even small stones as the rhizomes are small and tender. Fertilize monthly during growing season. Will do great in summer in a container garden (18 to 40 inches wide).
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Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Bangkok Sakura is a new off white very globe shaped winter hardy waterlily. The size is small to medium. Fertilizing Instructions Fertilize with Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs + Humates, for optimum growth and best blooming every 2-3 weeks through spring and summer! Use 3 to 4 tablets for water lilies every…
Live Pond Plants Water Lillies For Spring & Summer Today Introducing DynaDirt – the perfect planting mix for your aquatic plants that is guaranteed not to foul your pond water, cause algae, or harm your fish. With over 20 years of proven success among botanical gardens and professional growers across the USA, DynaDirt is a reliable and valuable mix for…
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Helvola small Hardy waterlily water garden plants, aquatic plants, pond plants
FAQ
What is the best water lily for a small pond?
1. Aurora Dwarf. A petit plant ideal for small ponds, which lily possesses a warm apricot red centre surrounded by oval leaves with a maroon mottled effect which display throughout the summer. The foliage provides shade which can help keep in check the spread of algae.
How do you grow water lilies in a small pond?
Plant in full sun to promote flowering. They are best planted in aquatic compost, or heavy clay-based loam, in an aquatic basket. Choose a cultivar to suit the size and depth of your pond – check plant labels/descriptions before buying. Aim to cover no more than half the pond’s surface with leaves.
Where to buy dwarf water lily for a small pond?
Shirley Aquatics have a wide range of dwarf water lilies available to buy online or in-store. We have some of the best, rare new and most popular dwarf water lilies, perfect for your garden pond. Dwarf pond lilies are perfect for smaller to medium-sized points and will grow well in the shade as well as sun.
Are lily pads good for a small pond?
The roots of lily pads help stabilize the pond’s bottom. Water lily’s flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to the surrounding ecosystem’s health. The habitat they provide is unique in small ponds, and can be a very real value to your pond’s ecosystem.