Quick Facts
Exposure: Full Sun
Height at Maturity: Under 12 Inches
Usage: Wetland Garden
Shipped As: Bare-root
Planting Zones:
Product Details
Our water lilies ship now, in packs of 25, 50, 100 or 500. This is Nymphaea odorata, the fragrant water lily that grows in ponds from northern Canada to Central America.
Fragrant Water Lily Size and Spread
Each plant sends up round leaves about 10 inches across, with wavy edges. They are bright green on top and reddish purple underneath. One plant can spread anywhere from 2 to 20 feet, depending on the pond. It grows in water from 3 inches to 3 feet deep. It flowers best with 6 or more hours of direct sun.
Flowers That Open by Day
The flowers are 6 to 9 inches across and carry more than 20 petals. They bloom from June to September. Each flower opens in the day and closes at night. They are very fragrant. A small bee, Lasioglossum versatum, is the main pollinator. After pollination, the stem pulls the fruit under the water to ripen. It matures in early fall.
Water Lilies in the Pond
The pads give frogs and dragonflies a place to land. Fish shelter in the shade under them, and the shade also helps hold algae back. Still water suits a water lily, so keep it away from fountains and strong currents.
Ordering Water Lilies in Bulk
Plants ship now. Volume pricing available on all four pack sizes. Our guide to aquatic plants for ponds covers choosing plants for a pond, and the advantages of water plants in your ponds explains what they do for it. You can also browse more perennials for sale.