I was so happy to see that both of the water lilies decided to bloom together. These were taken while it was very sunny so they aren't the best quality. But, hopefully you can still see how pretty they are.
'Charles de Meurville' is a pink water lily I bought years ago on clearance at the end of summer from a big box store. It's a bit stingy with the blooms and usually starts blooming later in the summer. I wish I would've noticed the aphids and rinsed them off first. The fish love them!
'Sioux' is very free flowering, and has been blooming for quite awhile now.
Here they are side by side and you can really see how much bigger 'Charles' is. I always think 'Sioux' looks like it's made of wax. 'Sioux' flowers last for about 3 or 4 days, 'Charles' flowers last for about 2 days.
I have one other water lily that a friend gave me when she decided to fill her pond in. It's leaves come up every year, but so far no flowers. I've just noticed buds on the Blue Pickerel in the pond, so hopefully I'll have some flowers on it soon. I love seeing the new flowers showing up now that summer is really underway.
Those are so pretty Catherine.
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful. My little pond is in the shade so no waterlilies for it.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics of very beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteNow I have to ask if you wade in and pick these lovely blooms? My mother used to have her four girls wade in a natural pond and pick some water lilies for her when we were kids. She loves the fragrance.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteThese are very pretty water lilies! Be careful because if they get loose in your pond it'll be like our pond, full to the point of having no open water.
Great photos. The colors are really rich. I even like being able to see that texture. I bought water plants for my one pond, but have never ever had any luck with waterlilies. So I just will enjoy yours. Hope you had a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWater lily blooms are just the best, aren't they? And they do look like wax, or plastic. Hard to believe they're real. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful !
ReplyDeleteShame they can't last longer.
We were away a few times this year...totally missed some blooms.
Beautiful water lilies. I love your new header photo -- it's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, those are both beautiful blooms and the photos are stunning too. Sioux is the most sublime color, and Charles is magnificent. We have three, but only the unnamed light yellow ever blooms and is just now starting. The pond has gotten more shady over the years, that might affect the bloom too. Looks like you have plenty of sun. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Tina- I haven't been in the pond yet, and I don't think I could convince my oldest daughter to either. Maybe on another warm day I'll be brave, but the thought of the fish swimming around my feet kind of creeps me out :)
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful..they almost look like wax!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, These are Beautiful water lilies. Oh. I was going to ask you if your pond was deep enough to sustain the water lilies without their freezing during the Winter... but I'm probably just thinking "Iowan-ese." ha? I have a friend with a cold room (unheated) in the basement who has wintered over water lilies. I'm not so fortunate and mine don't make it. I decided not to create my container water garden this year. Perhaps next year. Happy July to you! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, these are both just gorgeous Catherine. I bought 'Sioux' too at the beginning of summer but I'm starting to think it won't bloom now. I read somewhere that water plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight to bloom well? My pond is shadier than I anticipated it being so that bums me out. I bought pink pickeralweed ~ it would be fun if your blue & my pink would bloom at the same time! I think you have a better chance of making that happen. Happy (belated) 4th to you too. It sounds like you had a good day. and thanks for letting me know your Abraham Darby is floppy too. I was wondering what was going on...
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Aquatic Queens! Lovely they look! Do you have lotus? It is believed that lotuses are the most purest among aquatic blooms and held sacred in India. According to Ancient Indian Legends, it from Lotus that the Creator of the Universe and everything else sprang out.
ReplyDeleteBTW, do you have any idea as to what is the minimum size of a pot required to grow lilies? I so wanna have one after seeing so many wonderful blooms in your posts.
Sweet bay - Good eye! I had just changed it and you noticed it right away :)
ReplyDeleteShady - Our pond only freezes the top inch or so when it gets really cold so the lilies aren't bothered by it.
Kathleen - Sometimes is takes a year or so for them to get going. Mine doesn't get 6 hours of sun, but I tried to put in at the side the got the most sun. I'm sure you'll get some at by next summer.
Chandramouli - I would LOVE to grow lotus, I think they are gorgeous. Maybe one day I'll try.
I know there are small water lilies for containers but not sure what they are called. I'm sure you could find one, but would probably have to order it online.
These waterlillies are beautiful,Catherine. Im envious as they are the one reason Id like a pond....but I cant think of anywhere to put one that isn't in the shade....best laid plans etc.,etc!
ReplyDeleteWow. These are impressive water lilies. You did a nice job in photographing them.
ReplyDeleteI envy your pond, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteCatherine these are so pretty! I think I like the smaller of the two the best.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous water lillies Catherine - once my tea house is finished (it's really nearly there!) I'll be down to the garden centre like a shot to buy water lillies and fish, I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHave a great summer :)
Beautiful! I love garden ponds. Very soothing to look at and if they "trickle", the sounds are peaceful.
ReplyDelete