Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Introducing Water Lilies to my pond...(maybe)

I like to add some lilies to a corner of my pond for cover and for some color. I was wondering if anyone had any recomendations. I'd like to use a native species if possible. Currently we have no lilies but plenty of thick weedy cover in the shallows around the banks...

They are beautiful and provide great cover, but if you do it, be careful. Keep them in individual containers weighted with rocks in the bottom. They spread very fast and can easily get out of control. Check other posts, some have bought lillies off ebay that die off in the winter, that may be a better option.

I have little experience with lilies in regards to "fishing" ponds. But for "decorative" koi/goldfish-type ponds they are pretty nice to have, because they do an incredible job of keeping the water shaded, and they're nice-looking to boot.

Not sure where you're at in KY, but native species should be easy enough to find. My parents routinely dig up lilies from a local lake here in north TN and transplant them to their decorative pond. They also have a "bog-pond" plastic tub that they culture many of our native plant species in. In worst-case scenario, if you're not too far away, I could possibly get you some lilies for little or no cost, I would just have to clear it with my dad.

I would definitely agree with the individual potting, unless you have apirations of covering most of the pond with them. In a decorative, this is what you would probably do anyway, but in a fishery it's a bit unusual, at least around here. Not sure about how cold-hardy our native species are around here, but certainly if you were NOT going to pot them you'd want something that will peter out every winter.

Hope I can be of help! I am a new member here trying to prepare myself for the fishery that I am DEFINITELY gonna have after I finish my M.Mus. In the meantime, I have just enough experience with decorative ponds that I hopefully can help with your lily ponderances!

Thank you both for the responses.


AP,
We are located in north central Kentucky about 40 miles south of Louisville. How much soil needs to be on the bottom for them to thrive? I'm guessing not much since they seem sprout roots suspended in the water. Maybe I'll just buy a few big wire baskets and plop a few plans each in and sink them. I'll post pictures of the corner I'd like to see them in later.

OK, based on that description I'd say you're between 1 1/2 to 2 hours from me. So if you ever did need any plants (and if my dad would indeed get 'em to me), I could probably meet you in like Bowling Green or E-town or somewhere.

But it sounds like you've got the plants you need for now. I would say to go with that last option of putting 'em in wire baskets. That should keep 'em from creeping. They don't need much soil to thrive, which is part of the problem since they can end up EVERYWHERE. Also, the soil doesn't even seem to have to be very good for the lilies to grow. If my mom (ol' black thumbs herself) can grow 'em, they must be able to handle some pretty tough conditions.