How to grow water lilies in Britain

Alison Patel writes: Having a lake isn’t a pre-requisite to being able to grow water lilies and there are plenty that can thrive in Britain's colder climate.

That is according to Elseph Thompson of the telegraph, who has said that whilst the native British white water lily, Nymphaea alba, can cover huge expanses of space there are lilies more suited to small ponds.

Those with less room to play with may be interested in the Carmine-pink "James Brydon", wine-red "Charles de Meurville" and canary yellow N. x marliacea "Chromatella".

Thompson goes on to explain that water lilies are good for providing shade for fish and help stop algae from spreading.

She reminds gardeners that lilies go best in still water and benefit from a sunny spot which allows them to flower.

Thompson advises "most varieties should be planted into soil at least 30cm deep, either at the bottom of the pond or into plastic aquatic baskets that are then submerged, and should have a depth of at least 75cm of water above the crown of the plant."

Lastly gardeners are reminded that lilies need plenty of nutrients and so people are advised to use mix manure in with the soil when they plant them.

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