White Water Lily

Plant in still, open water in full sun. Water lilies need at least five to six hours of direct sunlight to flower well and will not bloom in shade or moving water. Plant the rhizome in an aquatic planting basket filled with heavy loam or specialist aquatic compost, topped with gravel to stop soil clouding the water. Lower the basket gradually into the pond, starting at a depth of 15-20 cm and moving deeper as the plant establishes, eventually settling at 45-90 cm for Nymphaea alba. Remove yellowing leaves throughout summer to keep the plant tidy and prevent decaying matter from fouling the water. Feed with slow-release aquatic fertiliser tablets pressed into the compost in spring. Divide congested plants every three to four years in spring when flowering declines.

Remove dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower stalks throughout the growing season by cutting them below the waterline. In autumn, allow the foliage to die back naturally. Remove the remains of dead leaves from the pond in late autumn to prevent them decomposing and releasing nutrients that encourage algae.