Albida and Indiana Water Lilies

Albida Water Lily

The Albida Water Lily is a hardy classic known for its elegant white blooms and dependable performance in various pond settings. Its pristine flowers and compact spread make it ideal for small to medium water gardens. Blooming abundantly from late spring into early fall, Albida brings purity and light to any aquatic space.

Key Features

  • Bloom Color: Pure white with bright yellow centers

  • Bloom Size: 4–5 inches across

  • Foliage: Medium green, round leaves, about 5–7 inches wide

  • Blooming Period: Late spring through early fall

  • Growth Habit: Compact, with a spread of 2–4 feet

  • Sunlight Requirements: Full sun; minimum of 5 hours of direct sunlight daily

  • Water Depth: Best at 12–24 inches deep

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10


Planting & Care

  • Planting Medium: Use dense loam or aquatic soil to anchor roots securely

  • Container: A wide, shallow container (minimum 2 gallons) works best

  • Fertilization: Use aquatic plant tabs monthly throughout the growing season

  • Maintenance: Prune faded blooms and yellow leaves to support new growth

  • Winter Care: Fully hardy; ensure rhizomes are below freezing line in colder zones


Benefits

  • Elegant Aesthetic: Clean white blooms contrast beautifully with green foliage

  • Algae Control: Broad pads reduce sunlight and help manage algae

  • Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and reliably blooms each season

  • Great for Small Ponds: Its controlled spread makes it ideal for limited space


Availability

Albida Water Lilies are commonly available through aquatic plant suppliers and garden centers. Look for healthy, bare-root rhizomes or pre-potted options for easier planting.


Bring serene beauty to your pond with the Albida Water Lily—perfect for both beginners and seasoned water garden enthusiasts.

Indiana Water Lily

The Indiana Water Lily is a charming hardy variety celebrated for its small, multicolored blooms that shift from apricot to orange-red. Its compact growth and captivating color changes make it a standout in small ponds or container water features. Indiana is especially valued for its ability to produce blooms even in partial sun.

Key Features

  • Bloom Color: Apricot-peach, often deepening to reddish-orange

  • Bloom Size: 3–4 inches across

  • Foliage: Deep green leaves, 4–6 inches wide, sometimes lightly mottled

  • Blooming Period: Late spring through early fall

  • Growth Habit: Dwarf variety with a 2–3 foot spread

  • Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; blooms with 3–4 hours of sun

  • Water Depth: Plant at 8–18 inches deep

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10


Planting & Care

  • Planting Medium: Use heavy aquatic soil or clay loam; avoid light mixes

  • Container: Best grown in a small to medium planting container (1–2 gallons)

  • Fertilization: Feed monthly with aquatic fertilizer tabs during active growth

  • Maintenance: Remove old leaves and flowers regularly to encourage blooming

  • Winter Care: Hardy in most climates; plant deep enough to avoid ice damage


Benefits

  • Color-Changing Blooms: Unique shifting hues add visual interest

  • Space Saving: Perfect for patios, tub gardens, or small ponds

  • Extended Bloom Time: Flowers reliably from spring to fall

  • Adaptable to Light: Performs well even with less sun than other lilies


Availability

Indiana Water Lilies are available through most aquatic plant retailers and specialty nurseries. Look for robust, bare-root rhizomes for best results in your pond.


Add compact color and unique character to your pond with the Indiana Water Lily—an enchanting choice for small spaces.

Colorado Water Lily

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Colorado Water Lily

Colorado Water Lily

The Colorado Water Lily (Nymphaea ‘Colorado’) is a stunning hardy hybrid renowned for its unusual salmon-pink blooms and prolific flowering habit. Bred for both beauty and performance, this variety is ideal for ponds of all sizes and thrives in a wide range of climates. Its vibrant color and compact growth make it a favorite among water gardeners across the country.

Key Features

  • Bloom Color: Soft peach to salmon-pink with yellow undertones

  • Bloom Size: 4–6 inches in diameter

  • Foliage: Olive-green leaves with occasional maroon flecks, each about 6–8 inches across

  • Blooming Period: Late spring through early fall

  • Growth Habit: Free-flowering with a spread of 3–5 feet

  • Sunlight Requirements: Full sun; minimum 5–6 hours of direct sunlight recommended

  • Water Depth: Ideal planting depth is 12 to 24 inches

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10


Planting & Care

  • Planting Medium: Use heavy clay loam or aquatic soil; avoid potting mixes with bark or perlite

  • Container: Wide, shallow planting containers work best (2–3 gallons or larger)

  • Fertilization: Feed monthly with aquatic plant fertilizer tablets during growing season

  • Maintenance: Remove yellowing leaves and old blooms to encourage new growth

  • Winter Care: Hardy to Zone 4; plant rhizomes deep enough to avoid freezing or bring indoors in harsh winters


Benefits

  • Unique Color: One of the few hardy water lilies with peach-pink blooms

  • Fragrance: Lightly scented flowers add to the sensory appeal

  • Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees and beneficial insects

  • Algae Control: Provides surface shade to help reduce algae growth

  • Compact Size: Great for small ponds or container water gardens


Availability

The Colorado Water Lily is widely available from aquatic nurseries and online garden suppliers. Look for bare-root plants or pre-potted specimens for easy transplanting into your pond or water feature.


Add warmth and elegance to your pond with the glowing blooms of the Colorado Water Lily—a top choice for color, hardiness, and repeat flowering all summer long.

Colorado Water Lily

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Chromatella Water Lily

Chromatella Water Lily

The Chromatella Water Lily (Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Chromatella’) is a classic hardy aquatic perennial, cherished for its abundant, canary-yellow, cup-shaped blooms and its adaptability to various pond sizes. Hybridized by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac in 1895, this cultivar has stood the test of time, earning the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its exceptional performance and beauty.

Key Features

  • Bloom Color: Soft canary-yellow with a pleasant fragrance

  • Bloom Size: Approximately 4–6 inches in diameter

  • Foliage: Dark green leaves with bronze or maroon mottling, each about 6–8 inches across

  • Blooming Period: Late spring through early fall

  • Growth Habit: Free-flowering with a spread of 3–5 feet, depending on growing conditions

  • Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; blooms well with as little as 3–4 hours of sunlight daily

  • Water Depth: Ideal planting depth ranges from 6 to 24 inches

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10


Planting & Care

  • Planting Medium: Use heavy loam or aquatic planting mix; avoid light, fluffy soils that can float away

  • Container: Opt for a wide, shallow container (2-gallon capacity recommended) to accommodate the spreading rhizomes

  • Fertilization: Apply aquatic plant fertilizer tablets every 4–6 weeks during the growing season to promote vigorous blooming

  • Maintenance: Regularly remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers to maintain plant health and aesthetics

  • Winter Care: In colder climates, ensure the rhizomes are planted below the freeze line or overwinter them indoors in a cool, dark location


Benefits

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a bright, cheerful touch to ponds with its vibrant yellow flowers

  • Ecosystem Support: Provides shade to reduce algae growth and offers habitat for aquatic wildlife

  • Fragrance: Emits a pleasant scent, enhancing the sensory experience of your water garden

  • Versatility: Suitable for various pond sizes, from small containers to large water gardens


Availability

The Chromatella Water Lily is widely available through aquatic plant nurseries and online retailers. When purchasing, ensure you receive healthy, bare-root specimens ready for planting.


Enhance your water garden with the timeless beauty and reliable performance of the Chromatella Water Lily—a true classic among aquatic plants.

Chromatella Water Lily

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We no have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Pilea

Pilea

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Chinese money plant / friendship plant – Pilea peperomioides and another friendship plant called Pilea involucrata are the most popular varieties.

Light

Bright indirect light

Temperatures

Pilea prefers temps between 55-85°F. It ccannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F.

Watering

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. If the leaves are turning yellow, you’ve either watered too much or too infrequently. Brown spots may also appear from overwatering. White spots are not an issue – it’s just the plant removing minerals from the water it’s taken in.

This may sound complicated, but Pilea really is low maintenance!

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

Growth

Pilea typically start producing pups when they are 2-3 years old. Height typically is 12 inches when mature, however, taller plants can be grown by removing pups as soon as they appear. This allows the mother plant to focus on itself, rather than child-rearing. To keep the Pilea nice and round, rotate the pot periodically.

Origin

China. It was first taken to Scandinavia by a missionary, and it has since made its way around the globe.

Propagation

Pilea produce offsets, or pups, that can be removed when they are 2-3 inches tall. We recommend taking the entire plant from the pot to separate the roots.

Dormancy

Fall/winter dormant

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.