Only seven major species of hardy water-lilies are recognized in The Waterlilies, the excellent 1905 monograph of the genus Nymphaea by Henry S. Conard. But some present-day botanists claim there are many times that many species, probably because the plants of a single species grown in different parts of the country tend to develop regional characteristics. In time these characteristics assert themselves more and more plainly, until finally a botanist or plant anatomist decides the water-lily has developed such an individuality that it deserves a species name of its own.

I have set down many species in the list which follows, but certainly not because I want to take issue with accepted classifications. Many varieties have been included in some of the doubtful species. If I refuse to recognize the species in question, I would have to rename the variety. Therefore, in the interests of simplicity, I have left plants in the species originally claimed for them.

All of the hardy water-lilies bloom in the daytime, and most of them for three consecutive days. As a rule, the flowers float, although some varieties thrust them above the surface of the water, especially if the plants are crowded. The hardies grow throughout the North Temperate Zone, except on the Pacific slope of North America, and there are some growing in Alaska.



Of all water-lilies, a group of hardies called Changeables is one of the most fascinating. A Changeable water-lily is just that. Its bud unfolds with a bloom of one color. Before the end of the first day, the hue of the flower begins to change to some other color. So, in three successive days of blooming, the flower presents three distinct hues. I have indicated which of the hardies are changeable. Catalogs frequently list these as Sunset Shades.

When I speak of an extensive grower in these lists I refer to waterlilies with blooms and leaves that cover 10 to 12 square feet of pond or lake space. Medium grower indicates a plant that covers 8 to 10 Square feet. A small grower confines the leaf spread to 4 square feet or less.

-The native European species. Pure white, cup-shaped flower, 4 to 5 inches diameter. Especially full of fragrance on its first day of opening. Round-ovate leaves, reddish or dark red when young, becoming a glossy dark green as they mature. Vigorous, extensive grower in pond or pond, and has been known to thrive in 11 feet of water.

candidissima-A healthy, pure-white variety thought to be a cross of N. alba and N. candida species. Bloom larger than that of N. alba and with broader petals. Extensive grower.



rubra-One of the oldest of the colored hardy varieties. A native of Sweden, it develops properly only in cold water. Blooms are pale pink upon opening, becoming deep, vivid red with age. Extensive grower when properly placed.

. Huge, snow-white flowers with rich yellow anthers. Unfolding leaves are purple, becoming deep green with age. Despite large blooms, plant confines itself to small area.

. Also known as Pink Marvel. Large, tulip-shaped water-lily, salmon-white at first, becoming rose, then a glowing, silvery pink with a deeper pink center. Canary-yellow stamens. Fragrant. Remains open in the evenings for two or three hours after other hardies have closed. Difficult to catalog due to its changing colors. Is listed as a pink, a red, and a Changeable. Extensive or medium grower, depending upon space provided.

. One of the largest hardy water-lilies, with 8- to 1O-inch blooms of garnet-red shaded with yellow. Almost white sepals; mahogany stamens tipped with yellow. Glossy green leaves, blotched with red. Small grower.

. Salmon-white blooms with rose-splashed sepals. Fragrant. Extremely interesting foliage, green, oddly spotted with bronze, white, rose, and purple markings. Medium grower.

-One of the Laydekeri, Marliac's fine group of red hybrids. Large, globular bloom with deep-crimson center and wide, deep-rose outer petals, all with a velvety sheen. A gardener's favorite.

. Full-blown, wide, brilliant, deep-crimson flowers, probably the darkest of all hardy hybrids. Foliage purple, becoming green with age.