It’s Pond Tour time! June is a magic month for ponders. It is that special time when hardy water lilies are in their prime, and tropical water lilies have started their first cycle of mature blossoms. The result is this perfect symphony of color and style. The yellow, pink, and peach hues of the hardies blend perfectly with the blues, purples, and hot pinks of the tropicals. This color show matched with blooming Pickerel Rush, dark purple Taro leaves, and perhaps some towering Red Stem Thalia creates a stunning garden in the water.
The timing of the pond tour is perfect to see many of the beautiful water gardens here in the Austin area. If you have never taken the tour, GO!
After the tour, be sure and stop by and see us here at the Water Gardens, our Memorial Pond is in its full regalia. It’s a great opportunity to see some of the latest varieties that the “Mad Lily Hybridizers” of the world have concocted. It is a really exciting time in the water garden world. Hybridizers have perfected crossing hardy and tropical water lilies, and the results are stunning. The most significant result is lilies with tropical-style blossoms, with the overwintering ability of a hardy lily.
My favorite of the new hybrids is Nymphaea ‘Paranee.’ I did a double-take when I saw this bright yellow lily with hot pink striations in its petals. As the bloom phases, the yellow fades, and the pink really pops.
Another new yellow is N. ‘Siam Fantasy’, this new hardy one was hybridized by the same folks who brought us N. ‘Wanvisa’ several years ago. Hot yellow blossoms, with pink to red outer petals. Stunning against the deep, mottled purplish pads.
N. ‘Jakkaphong’ is also striking; she’s a beautiful double pink with white striations. Maroon to dark green pads!
Probably the coolest thing that has resulted from the new hybrid craze was the creation of the long-sought-after “Purple Hardy.” Several years ago, multiple purple-hued hardies were hybridized: N. 'Queen Sikirit,' N. 'Purple Siam,' and N. 'Purple Siam Two.' With each new variety, the purple color keeps getting better. I brought this lily in late last year and really didn’t give it a chance to mature.
N. ‘Detective Erika’ is a stunning, huge, bright purple blossom with a hot yellow center, and she loves to bloom! Our show plant in the formal pond has 6-8 blooms.
We have a few of each of these new varieties in stock. They are pond-ready in 2-gallon pots. These new lilies range from $75 -$100.
Enjoy the tour!
Steve
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