WATER-LILIES 65 



unsatisfactory even in a greenhouse. It is sometimes de- 

 scribed in trade catalogues as hardy, but it is not so. 



Of flesh-coloured Nymphaeas the best for our purpose is 

 probably N. caroliniana perfecta. 



Of pink and rosy-pink colours avoid N. alba rosea, which is 

 rare, expensive, and gives sparingly of its flowers. The most 

 suitable will be N. odorata rubra (syn. rosea), the North Ameri- 

 can pink Water-lily, N. odorata rosacea, N. odorata exquisita, and 

 N. Laydekeri rosea. The three last are hybrids of M. Latour 

 Marliac. The flower of N. odorata exquisita is deeply coloured, 

 small, and pretty. N. odorata rosacea is paler and larger. N. 

 odorata rubra is intermediate in colour between these, but the 

 flower is rather coarse. When only one kind is required choose 

 N. odorata exquisita. JV. Laydekeri rosea is very distinct, but 

 difficult to propagate ; it should not be disturbed from year to 

 year. When freshly expanded the flowers are pale pink, but 

 become deeper on the second day, and still more so on the 

 following day. This is a desirable kind in every respect and 

 keeps well within reasonable limits. N. Seignoureti is also 

 suitable ; the leaves are rather small, but produced in pro- 

 fusion, their surface being mottled with brown. The outer 

 segments of the flower are pale yellow and the inner ones rose. 

 The flowers stand up fully six inches above the water. 



Many beautiful varieties range through various shades 

 of red, but the majority can only be obtained at quite fancy 

 prices. N. Ellisi, N. gloriosa, N. Marliacea rubro punctata, and 

 N. lucida are magnificent, but require more space than a tub. 

 N. ignea and Laydekeri kinds should be chosen in their place. 

 N. Froebeli is of moderate growth, the flowers very dark in 

 colour and of good shape. 



The following interesting notes appeared in the Garden 

 about Nymphaeas. It is mentioned that with regard to the 

 depth of water needed, at least eighteen inches is needful for 

 some of the stronger growing kinds, such as N. Marliacea 

 chromatella. If the water is too shallow the leaves are some- 

 times raised above it, and the flowers are partially hidden. 

 " In shallow water the flowers are more widely scattered than 

 where they have sufficient water for the stems to grow upright. 

 I have to use cold spring water, which is rather hard, but it is 

 properly diluted with that already in the tank, so that it is not 

 injurious. 



" It may be of service to say that there is no need for a 

 constant flow of water. My tanks have no outlet, and are 

 supplied as they need replenishing from the well in the garden, 

 there being a small artificial watercourse from the pump by 

 which the water flows into the tanks. When first filled the 



