Water Lilies at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

The little water garden was a success. The lilies bloomed, t spike rush grew into a healthy fountain of green tipped with brov non-flowering buds, and the dwarf cyperus shot up 2 1/2 foot stei topped with a Fan of leaves. Once autumn arrives and temperatures start to fall, the wal garden should be emptied until the following spring. Hardy wai lilies will survive outside if the water above them never freezes sol: But in a tub exposed to the weather this will be the natural order things. If you wish, the lilies can be kept over the winter in a need not be kept in water. The papyrus can be a happy houseplant if kept warm (62 to 80°F.), in maxium light, and moist soil. As to the >pike rush, I do not know, but I suspect it, too, will keep indoors if given plenty of light and at least six weeks of temperatures averaging .

THEIR startling flowers and rounded, leafy pads, water lilies, Nymphaea, are a familiar sight in most garden pools. They come in a wide array of colors, including white, yellow, pink and red, and there are different types to choose from including single and double; some have star-shaped flowers and some cup-shaped, while others have incurved petals or petals which are papery to touch. Most water lilies will provide color from early summer until early fall. They do not, however, tolerate moving water. Plant them in planting baskets at the correct water depth.

The lilies are set out only when water temperatures will stay above 70°F. A layer of gravel is spread on top of the soil so the water will not be muddied when the tub is eased carefully into the pool. Unless you have a frost-free place to store the tubers over winter, treat the lilies as annuals. Water depth should be 18 inches. Here are three favorite cultivars: Nymphaea 'Juno' has large white flowers, needs at least five hours of direct sun daily, and has a spread of 8 to 10 square feet. N. 'Texas She]] Pink'is a glowing light pink, needs five hours of sun, and has a spread of 10 square feet.