Water lilies

Water lilies look marvellous in every garden, park or other green area with water reservoir. They enchant with their beauty, are easy to cultivate and provide opportunity of diverse use according to personal likings. Water lilies are a very diversified group, however they all share one feature – lilies are wonderful decoration of ponds, waterholes and any other body of water. With their presence reservoir becomes vivid and more natural. These gorgeous plants are available in numerous colours, considerably enhance attractiveness of the site and provide possibility of creative and eco-friendly arrangement of the garden.

Varieties of water lilies

The most common wild varieties are white lilies (Nymphaea alba). Much less frequent area north lilies (Nymphaea candida). Although they look almost identical, the trained eye will immediately notice the difference. Stamens of white lilies are usually yellow, while in case of north darker or even red. Hybrids of both species can be met. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to acquire these varieties of lilies for cultivation purposes.

Cultivated varieties

Fortunately, we can choose from many no less beautiful varieties of cultivated lilies. These in turn are divided into winter-hard and tropical. Winter-hard types will easily survive even the coldest winter on condition that a rhizome winters under the ice. In shallower reservoirs it is recommended to hide lilies in a cool place with the temperature between 2-5 degrees. A small barrel with water or a box with peat can be used for this purpose. Species with flowers in warm shades are durable: yellow, red, orange, salmon-coloured and white lilies. Exotic varieties - that is, those with flowers in cool shades are too sensitive to low temperatures in order to survive in the winter. Flowers of water lilies differ not only in terms of colour, but also in the size. We can also choose varieties of different shapes, colour of leaves, and even a smell. Before selecting a particular species, it is worth to find out whether it has ability to reproduce. Only certain varieties of lilies can set the seeds, giving rise to new plants. The division of rhizomes is a time-consuming process, but cultivating the lily on one’s own provides a lot of satisfaction to the owner of a pond or waterhole.

The most popular and reliable varieties of lilies are; Atraction, Albida, Chromatela, Holandia , Joey Tomocik, James Brydon, Marliacea Carnea, Colorado.

Cultural meaning

Water lilies have performed many symbolical functions in various cultures. Their Latin name, Nymphaeaceae, is derived from the deities from Greek and Roman mythology – nymphs, who were often found in water environment or other natural areas. On the other hand, in the ancient Egypt, a water lily symbolized the upper kingdom and when combined with a papyrus flower (for the lower part), it represented the unity of the whole nation. This is why they were often carved in the pillars of the temples. In Asia, those plants have been used as a symbol of universality, because they can create fruit at the same time as blossoms. Water lily is still considered by the Hindus and the Buddhists to be a sacred flower.