Water Lilies

Water lilies are rhizomatous aquatic perennial plants with rooted underwater stems. Tropical water lilies can only be grown in heated water or greenhouses in the UK, however most Nymphaea water lilies are hardy and don't require winter covering. If you're looking for a container pond centre-piece, dwarf and miniature water lilies are ideal, otherwise most water lilies grow to several meters wide. White Water Lily Nymphaea Alba is the only native British water lily and grows in medium to large pond sizes with submerged berry-like fruit.

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Alba Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Alba'

    Britain's only native water lily

    • Gorgeous stellate, white blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Thrives in full sun
    • Vigorous grower and subtly-scented blooms

    5 options available

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  • Water Lily Darwin | Nymphaea hollandia Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Long Flowering Water Lily | Nymphaea hollandia 'Darwin'

    Amongst the finest water lilies

    • The softest pink double blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Likes a spot in full sunshine
    • Stunning flowers suited to larger ponds

    5 options available

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  • White Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Pygmaea alba Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    White Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Alba'

    Tiny, snowdrop water lilies

    • Miniature, cup-shaped blooms in silk white
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Perfect for a south-facing, sunny spot
    • Ideal for shallow container ponds

    2 options available

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  • Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea Pygmaea helvola Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Yellow Dwarf Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola'

    A pond full of yellow stars

    • Delicate little flowers in butter yellow hues
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Thrives in a sunny spot
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea Virginalis Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Virginalis'

    Always highly sought-after

    • Elegant semi-double, white blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Hardy, reliable and a long flowering season

    4 options available

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  • Red Water Lily | Nymphaea Attraction Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Red Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Attraction'

    A symphony in rose pink

    • Stunning pink blooms flecked with white
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • The perfect choice for sunny ponds
    • Showy and long-flowering (June to September)

    5 options available

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  • Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea Aurora Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Variable Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Aurora'

    Glorious colour changes

    • Compact flowers, perfect for smaller ponds
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grows best in full sun
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Colorado Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £150
    From £150

    Flamingo Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Colorado'

    Fabulous in flamingo pink

    • Showstopping flowers with a subtle fragrance
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow 'Colorado' in a fully sunny spot
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • 3 Best Water Lily Plants For Any Size Pond | Growers Choice Pond Plants
    From £90
    £108 From £90

    Best Water Lily Plants for Any Size Pond | Growers' Choice

    Every water lily you need!

    • The finishing touch for a beautiful pond
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Full sun is preferred
    • Provides shelter and attracts pollinators

    2 options available

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  • Almost Black Water Lily Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    'Almost Black' Water Lily

    Dark and oh-so sophisticated

    • Plum-coloured petals, white stamens
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Loves a pond in full sunshine
    • Hardy all the way down to -15°C

    4 options available

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  • White Water Lily | Nymphaea Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    White Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gonnère'

    The 'snowball' water lily

    • Linen white blooms with golden stamens
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Plant this water lily in full sunshine
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    4 options available

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  • Fragrant Water Lily | Nymphaea odorata 'Firecrest' | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Fragrant Water Lily | Nymphaea odorata 'Firecrest'

    Sumptuously-scented blooms

    • Powder pink petals and zingy orange stamens
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Appreciates full sun
    • Long flowering period (June to September)

    2 options available

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  • Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea Marliacea Chromatella Pond Plants
    From £25
    From £25

    Yellow Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'

    Sunny yellow all summer long

    • Pastel yellow blooms with golden centres
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Flowers best in full sun
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    6 options available

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  • Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea Mayla Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Double Petal Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Mayla'

    Dazzles in fabulous fuchsia

    • Powerful pink blooms and lush green leaves
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Ideal for a sunny pond
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Wanvisa Pond Plants
    From £40
    From £40

    Variegated Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Wanvisa'

    No two flowers are the same!

    • Spectacular multicoloured flowers
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in a fully sunny spot
    • 2010 Best New Waterlily winner

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Gloire du Temple sur Lot' | Nymphaea | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Blush Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gloire du Temple sur Lot'

    Up to 100 petals per flower!

    • Showy, fully double flowers in powder pink
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Appreciates a sunny position
    • Long-flowering from June through to September

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Gladstoniana Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Gladstoniana'

    Luxuriant and free-flowering

    • Huge white blooms with yolk-yellow centres
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • A fully sunny spot is preferred
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    4 options available

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  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Lemon Mist Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Lemon Mist'

    The centrepiece for a sunny pond

    • Bold lemon and soft butter hues
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Free-flowering with gently-perfumed blooms

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Barbara Dobbins Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Barbara Dobbins'

    Stunning colour gradient

    • Blooms suffused with yellow through to pink
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Put in full sun for best blooms
    • Compact, hardy and very floriferous

    4 options available

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  • Joey Tomocik Water Lily | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Golden Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Joey Tomocik'

    An incredibly cheery variety

    • Lemon yellow blooms with a golden glow
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • A position in full sun is ideal
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea marliacea 'Rosea' | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Marliacea Rosea'

    Blush blooms the whole of summer

    • Large (12cm) flowers in powder pink
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Full sun is preferred
    • The perfect choice for larger ponds

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Arc-en-Ciel' | Nymphaea | 3L Pot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Star Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Arc-en-Ciel'

    Scented lily with unique leaves

    • Distinctive paint-flecked, variegated foliage
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Grow in full sun
    • Fragrant, floriferous and fully hardy

    2 options available

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  • Water Lily 'Charles de Meurville' | Nymphaea Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Charles de Meurville'

    Intense magenta hues

    • Decadent, pink-to-wine-coloured water lily
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Prefers a fully sunny position
    • Hardy, floriferous and long-flowering

    2 options available

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  • Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Rose Arey Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Rose Arey'

    A pink star for larger ponds

    • Stunning star-shaped, pink blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Plant in full sun for the best flowers
    • Robust, floriferous and long-blooming

    2 options available

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  • Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea Madame Wilfron Gonnere Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Pink Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Madame Wilfron Gonnère'

    An absolute superstar

    • Distinctive, dahlia-like double blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Plant in full sunshine (at least six hours)
    • Blooms all the way from June until September

    2 options available

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  • Large Water Lily | Nymphaea Paul Hariot Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Large Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Paul Hariot'

    Beautiful, painterly shades

    • Apricot to orange-pink blooms
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Loves full sun (six hours or more)
    • An ideal size for the average pond

    4 options available

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  • Water Lily | Nymphaea Albatross Pond Plants
    From £36
    From £36

    Water Lily | Nymphaea 'Albatross'

    A big water lily for big impact

    • Snowy white petals and lush, leathery leaves
    • Zone 3 - Deep water
    • Perfect for a sunny pond
    • Floriferous without being overly vigorous

    2 options available

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Enfield

Meet Caroline

A deep dive into sustainable gardening

Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!

Need help picking?

Which water lily?

Which water lily?

There are a huge number of water lilies out there, and these floating flowerers make an excellent addition to any pond garden – there’s a reason Monet painted so many! If you’ve got a large pond, then you’ll have the room for bigger varieties like 'Marliacea Carnea' and 'Gladstoniana', while small ponds (and container/tub ponds) will benefit from more compact, diminutive varieties like 'Pygmaea Helvola' and ‘Perry’s Baby Red’. For the showiest blooms, choose ‘Gloire du Temple-sur-Lot', whose flowers can have up to 100 petals! And if you want your pond to smell nice and fragrant, then we’d recommend 'Odorata Sulphurea'.

Water lily planting schemes

Water lily planting schemes

Water lilies are at their most impactful when given a lush foliage foil against which their blooms can really shine. Water lettuce is the ideal plant for this purpose, its rich green rosettes floating serenely on the pond surface and providing a green canvas for the Nymphaea flowers. Consider planting water hawthorn to extend your pond’s floral display from solely summer to multiple seasons. Finally, the addition of some marginal pond grasses can help visually frame the pond and the water lilies it supports.

Caring for water lilies

Caring for water lilies

For your water lilies to flourish, they need still water (so no streams, we’re afraid) and a fully sunny position (at least six hours of direct sunlight per day). Plant your water lilies in aquatic baskets to help keep them secure and the soil in place. Your water lilies will benefit from an annual feed every spring with slow-release aquatic fertiliser. If your pond is small and accessible, it’s also worth deadheading spent flowers to prevent them rotting in the water. Only do this if it’s safe to do so, however.

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Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

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As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

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