Best Hardy Waterlilies For Tub Gardens

For container watergarding, a range of hardy 'Pygmy Waterlilies' and small-spread waterlily cultivars often available. These dwarf varieties typically have lily pads smaller than 4 inches and are well suited for tub gardens. Medium-spread varities are often a good choice, many are often described as highly 'adaptable' to small and mini-ponds where space is limited.

As the name implies, hardy lilies are perennial in cold climates and grow from Ag Zones 2-10, up into Canada and down to the gulf and Mexican border.

List Of Small Hardy Waterlily Varieties Ideal For Container Water Gardens

Pygmy, Dwarf and Small varieties are well suited for tub gardening. With compact lilypads and smaller blossom sizes, here are some named cultivars known for their minimal growth habit.

Helvola Yellow
Hermine
Pink Ladekeri
Perry's Baby Red^#Ad

Hardy Water Lily Flower Color Range

With the exception of blues and purples, a broad palette of hardy water lily flower colors is available. They range from creamy or pure whites to yellow, pinks to deep reds with a few changeables as well.

Multicolored Changeable Hardy Water Lilies

'Changeables' are a term for hardy water lilies that show a shift the blossom's pigment color as the flower aged over 3 to 4 days. These cultivars are typically in the yellow to orange to red range. Some pink hardy water lily varieties are noted for their color shifts; some become paler, others become a deeper pink on successive days of flowering.

Hardy Waterlilies Are Day-Bloomers Only

There are no night blooming cold hardy waterlilies - and there will likely never be. The genetic branches and DNA genetics of night-blooming tropicals is too different from day-blooming hardies and tropical water lily species for successful cross-pollination.

Growing Hardy Lilies : Tips & Insights

Unlike tropical water lilies which can be finicky and are often treated like disposable, annual flowers - Hardies are much more reliable, perennial performers over the long term once they're established. They may not flower readily their first year, but will if given as much full sun as possible and good, nutrient rich mucky soil to feed on. Give them large growing containers so you don't feel the need to repot and disturb them each year. They seen happiest when water temps are between 60F and 85F. In the Deep South and arid Desert Southwest - flowering can cease during the hottest 100F months of summer if they're forced to cope with really really warm water temperatures. Mine simply stop producing flower buds during July and August here in the Sonoran Desert. Then an inground pond would be

Note that above ground container water garden tubs are more exposed to dramatic daily shifts in ambient air temperatures. In-ground ponds Will have generally cooler and more stable soil and water temperatures.