How to Plant Water Lilies in the UK

If you're looking to add some beauty and tranquility to your UK pond or water garden, then planting water lilies is a fantastic option. Not only do these stunning aquatic plants add colour and interest to your space, but they also provide important shade and shelter for any fish or other wildlife living in your pond.

Choosing Your Water Lilies

The first step in planting water lilies is choosing the right plants for your pond. There are many different varieties of water lilies available, each with their own unique colours, sizes, and growing habits. Some of the most popular water lily varieties in the UK include:

Nymphaea 'Attraction'

Nymphaea 'Gladstoneana'

Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'

Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'

You can purchase water lilies from most garden centres or aquatic stores, and they are often sold as bare-root plants or potted plants. When choosing your water lilies, make sure to consider the size and depth of your pond, as well as the amount of sun and shade your plants will receive.

Preparing Your Pond

Before planting your water lilies, it's important to prepare your pond or water garden to ensure that the plants will thrive. Start by removing any debris or unwanted plants from your pond, and then add a layer of nutrient-rich soil to the bottom of your pond where your water lilies will be planted.

You can also add a layer of pea gravel or small rocks to the soil to help anchor the plants and prevent them from floating away. Make sure to create a level planting area and to create different planting zones at different depths of your pond to accommodate different water lily varieties.

Planting Your Water Lilies

Once your pond is prepared, it's time to plant your water lilies. Start by carefully removing the plants from their containers or packaging, and then gently spread out the roots using your fingers or a planting tool. Make sure to plant the water lilies at the correct depth - most varieties should be planted with their crowns just below the surface of the water.

Once your water lilies are planted, add a layer of gravel or small rocks around the base of the plants to help anchor them in place. You can also add a layer of fertiliser pellets to the soil to provide your water lilies with the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive.

Caring for Your Water Lilies

After you've planted your water lilies, it's important to care for them properly to ensure that they grow and bloom beautifully. Here are a few tips for caring for your water lilies:

Make sure to maintain the appropriate water level in your pond

Regularly remove any dead or dying leaves or flowers from your plants

Add fertiliser pellets to the soil around your water lilies periodically throughout the growing season

Prune back any overgrown foliage or stems to keep your plants looking tidy and healthy

With the right care and attention, your water lilies will provide you with years of beauty and serenity in your UK pond or water garden.