[Plate 11.] 



THE ROSE-COLOURED VARIETY OF THE COMMON 



WATER LILY. 



(NYMPHS A ALBA, VAR. ROSEA.) 



A Hardy Aquatic Plant, belonging to the Natural Order of ' Nympeleace^e, from Sweden. 



CKD^O^ 



THIS plant is, no doubt, simply a coloured variety o£ the common Water Lily, so well 

 known as one of the most beautiful objects that adorn our ponds and ornamental 

 waters. Being structurally identical with Nymphsea alba, no further details as to its specific 

 character are necessary. How it originated is not clear, but it is said to have been found in 

 Lake Fagertarn, in Sweden, in the waters of which it seems to have alone been met with. 



Additions to our hardy plants are always acceptable, as, apart from the individual beauty 

 which they may possess, the fact of their being able to thrive and resist the effects of our 

 winters without any protection at once places them within the reach of every one who has a 

 garden. The subject of our illustration has still further claims, inasmuch that hardy aquatic 

 plants of an attractive character are comparatively few in number, and new additions to them 

 are much less frequent than in any other division of flowering subjects. 



The cultivation of this and kindred plants is so simple and generally understood as to 

 require few details, as when once fairly established under such conditions as suffice for their 

 wants, they usually take care of themselves, and go on increasing. As a matter of course, 

 they must have room enough to admit of full development if anything like an effective 

 display is to be expected. And where introduced, it is always necessary to see that they do 

 not get smothered with any of the weedy, quick-growing water plants which often take 

 possession of ornamental pieces of water, and sometimes choke everything of a better 

 character. To grow this and the common form of the plant satisfactorily, it is better 

 that the water should not be over-deep, nor the opposite of too shallow : from one and a 

 half to two feet is a good depth; and it is also requisite, so far as possible, to maintain 

 this depth regularly by arranging the outlet — that is, the overflow from the pond in which 

 the plants are grown. 



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