2308 



NYMPILEA 



NYMPH.EA 



2545. Stamens and vertical section 

 of ovary of Anecphya group. 



America led to the commingling of species, especially 

 of N. odorata and N. tuberosa. The result is that in sev- 

 eral sections are to be found many similar varieties, 

 and forms of both white and pink, some of which are 

 valuable, being distinct in color and having large, hand- 

 some, fragrant flowers, while a host of others are worth- 

 less, so far as distinct 

 varieties are concerned. 

 N. tuberosa is known 

 as the largest and 

 purest white water- 

 lily, distinct in foliage, 

 flowers and rootstock. 

 This species has proved 

 to be the most suscep- 

 tible of cross-fertiliza- 

 tion. One great hin- 

 drance to the cultiva- 

 tion of such half-breeds, 

 is that most of them 

 produce seed. The seed- 

 lings are either white 

 or pink, and seldom, 

 if ever, like the parent plant. There are in different 

 sections of the country distinct forms of JV". tuberosa, 

 some having long, narrow petals and slightly fra- 

 grant flowers, others again having broad incurving 

 petals, forming handsome cup-shaped highly fragrant 

 flowers; still others have very full flowers, quite dou- 

 ble, the numerous petals crowding each other until the 

 reflexed sepals inclose the stalk, forming spherical flow- 

 ers like balls of snow. N. tuberosa, in any of its forms, 

 should not be planted in a small pond with other nym- 

 pheas, for it is such a rampant grower that in a short 

 time it will smother the less vigorous kinds. This spe- 

 cies delights in plenty of space, and water 2 to 3 feet 

 deep, with soil of a tenacious character. However, it 

 will thrive in almost any soil, and is well adapted for 

 naturalizing in lakes and ponds. Attempts at naturaliz- 

 ing or cultivating on a small scale have not been very 

 satisfactory; but the species will well repay any extra 

 care to establish it in desirable localities. 



Two or three species are indigenous to continental 

 Europe, notably N. alba, the well-known English white 

 water-lily, N. Candida, the white Bohemian water-lily, 

 and N. alba var. rosea, the Swedish water-lily. The 

 last named is the only disinct or true red-flowered, 

 hardy species. Still another species, which has played 

 a very important part with specialists of the present 

 day, is N. tetragona (N. pygrmed), from 

 China and Japan. 



Nymphsea odorata was introduced 

 into England during the eighteenth 

 century, and was probably the first 

 foreign nymphea to reach that country. 

 Other species followed later, mostly 

 tropical; but, although the English 

 people were ardent horticulturists and 

 lovers of the beautiful in nature over 

 a century ago, nympheas never became 

 popular, and remained a neglected 

 class of plants until a few years ago, 

 when N. Marliac, of Temple-sur-Lot, 

 France, conceived the idea of crossing 

 the English white water-lily with the 

 well-known Cape Cod pink water-lily, 

 and tht Florida yellow variety. Noth- 

 ing in the horticultural world has 

 created more surprising results in the 

 blending of the American and English species. These 

 species have been the progenitors of numerous varieties, 

 which have made this class of plants the most popular 

 and desirable of all aquatic decorative subjects, and 

 within reach of all. Their popularity has kept con- 

 stantly increasing and ever heightened by new addi- 

 tions. America, also, has contributed its quota to the 



2546. Stamens 

 and vertical sec- 

 tion of ovary 

 of Brachyceras 

 group. 



list of novelties, and some of these are unsurpassed by 

 any European introductions. 



From the apparently simple conditions under which 

 our native species are found growing, many amateurs 

 have concluded that all these plants require is water and 

 possibly some mud to keep the roots in. Many attempts 

 have been made to grow these plants in pails and tubs, 

 with inevitable failure as a result. Professional gar- 

 deners, also, have made grievous errors, for, while they 

 have used every means to secure fine specimen plants 

 of flowers, vegetables and luscious fruits, they have 

 usually given meager attention to water-lilies, and have 

 not supplied half their wants. Water-lilies, all nym- 

 pheas, succeed best when grown, as near as possible, 

 under their existing natural conditions; these are a rich 

 alluvial soil in abundance, water, and clear uninter- 

 rupted sunlight. Where natural ponds exist these con- 

 ditions are found, but often there is a deficiency of light, 

 caused by shade trees. Let the trees remain, but choose 

 open spots for the nympheas. They may be planted on 

 the margins of sluggish streams, in bays and sheltered 

 nooks. 



Where artificial ponds are used, the most satisfac- 

 tory method is to build solid walls of reinforced cement, 

 with a concrete bottom, provided with an outlet and 

 overflow. In all cases make the pond as large as exist- 

 ing means will allow, not 

 for a moment considering it 

 possible to be too large. 

 One method of providing 

 for the sustenance of these 

 plants is to place a layer of 

 soil in the bottom of the 

 pond from 9 to 12 or more 

 inches deep. This will suit 

 the plants admirably. 

 Artificial ponds are usually 

 constructed in a conspicu- 

 ous spot, where everything 

 is required to be well kept. 

 In such situations it is necessary occasionally to take off 

 some dead leaves, or cut a few choice flowers, and if 

 they cannot be reached from the edge of the pond, the 

 attendant must wade in after them. The result is that 

 the water, which should always be clear, is muddy, and 

 when it settles there is a muddy deposit on the leaves 

 that makes them very unsightly. Moreover, this tread- 

 ing in the soft soil breaks numerous roots. To avoid 

 these and other attendant evils, place the soil in 

 boxes from 3 to 4 feet square, and 1 foot deep, and in 

 these plant one single plant of the vigorous and moder- 

 ate growers, allowing ample space between the boxes. 

 One plant of any tropical water-lily in such a box, or 

 three of smaller species, will require 50 to 100 square 

 feet of water surface, as will also strong hardy nympheas, 

 since these may remain two years undisturbed, although 

 some of these are best replanted every season. The 

 pond should be 2 to 2 ^ feet in depth. The soil should 

 be a strong loam, the top-soil from a pasture composted 

 with cow-manure in proportion of one-third. This 

 should be prepared six months, at least, before plant- 

 ing time. This soil is suitable for all aquatic plants. In 

 any case, when filling the boxes or placing the soil in 

 bottom of pond, tread moderately firm and cover with 

 an inch of sand. The water may be spring-water, rain- 

 water or that from any available source. The clearest 

 spring-water will soon turn green from exposure to the 

 sun and air, but after fermentation settles clear. Do 

 not place the plants in a newly constructed pond or 

 basin immediately after it is finished, as the caustic 

 property of the cement will injure the plants. Wash 

 the new construction thoroughly and then supply it 

 with clean fresh water. Planting, of the hardy varie- 

 ties may be done in April and May, according to the 

 latitude and earliness or lateness of season. The con- 

 ditions should be conducive to active growth at once. 



2547. Stamens and vertical 

 section of ovary of Castalia 

 group. 



