Hi Rowly
Ducks and turtles can cripple water lilies if they persistently graze them, Winter can be a particularly difficult time if the 'pilot' leaves are cropped. I call them 'pilot' leaves because the water lilies 'tick over' when dormant and the pilot leaves do 'just enough' to keep the plant healthy
When established, hopefully there is enough foliage abundant to cope with grazing... when establishing new water lily positions it may be feasible to put a cage over the crowns so grazers can't get close to doing to much damage, while allowing new foliage to grow through the cage...
If all the stems get cropped, that can seriously cripple the water lilies...
Sob... I'd hope you get to post photos of this location, if only to make us cringe with envy
Regards, Andy
