Water Lilies are Easily Grown Everywhere! 
Everyone Can Grow Them Successfully 
|ID you know that water lilies succeed almost equally 
well in every state in the Union? Few garden plants 
thrive East or West, North or South in every type of 
soil or climate as do these gorgeous blossoms that 
- everyone may easily grow in their pool. 
Water lilies are so easily grown, even by those who have 
had no previous experience, that following these simple direc¬ 
tions will make your pool a most interesting part of your 
garden. In fact, water lilies are easier to grow than the com¬ 
moner garden plants. The actual care of the pool may be 
stated in a single line. (Keep the water level fairly constant 
and the pool clean.) It is not necessary to drain the pool at 
all during the growing season, simply adding water to replace 
evaporation. 
New Pools. The most important thing is to have the pool 
about 24 inches deep. This will allow for one foot of water 
and one foot of soil giving the best average results. However, 
the plants will thrive luxuriantly where the water is only 6 
ipches deep or up to 24 inches. 
Soil. Any garden loam is all right. They particularly enjoy 
a heavy loam such as roses thrive in. Do not use leaf mold, 
swamp muck or sand. 
Fertilizers. Cow manure is good. Use one shovelful to four 
of soil. Commercial fertilizers or sheep manure are particularly recommended. Their use will insure a 
thrifty, luxuriant growth. Use one pound to each bushel and a half of soil. Mix all fertilizer well with the soil. 
Water gardens large or small are always the center of 
interest in a garden. 
Boxes. We recommend the use of boxes. They should be at least 15 inches square and 12 inches deep. 
Boxes 18 to 24 inches square give better flowers. Make them of pine wood and they will last 20 years. 
Remember, the larger the box the more and finer the flowers. 
How Far Apart? A pool 4 by 6 feet will accommodate three or four lilies as well as Water Poppies, Water 
Hawthorne, Arrowheads, Water Hyacinths or equivalent plants. A pool 10 feet in diameter will accommodate 
six to ten lilies and also a number of other aquatic plants. 
Planting. It is well to fill the pool before planting. After planting, the boxes or pails may be easily set 
in the water. If the boxes are too large to move it is easy to set the plants beneath the water. In planting 
simply scoop a small hole out and plant the roots horizontally and not upright, with the growing end just 
flush with the surface. It is not necessary to cover the box with gravel unless there are large goldfish pres¬ 
ent. Large goldfish are a nuisance as they eat the roots of lilies and keep the water riled and dirty. 
Tropical Water Iiilies. These should be planted upright as they are shipped_ as growing, potted plants. 
Just cover the ball with soil. Do not allow the leaves to wither or the plant will be severely checked. Fill 
pool before planting. 
When to Plant. Hardy water lilies may be planted from February on in the Southern and Pacific Coast 
States. In the Middle West and East April is early enough. In the Northern States April 15th gives plenty 
of time. Planting may be continued throughout the late spring and summer with great success. In mild 
climates Hardy Lilies may be planted almost the year around. Tropical Lilies should not be planted until 
the weather is settled and warm with an average temperature of 70°. May in warm regions and late May 
or early June farther north. 
Winter Care. Hardy Lilies grow wild in cold northern regions and need no protection other than from 
direct freezing of the roots. Where the water is deep enough not to freeze below the roots they will come 
through unharmed. Since dry rot is the worst enemy of stored plants in the winter it is best to leave them 
in the pool under natural conditions. Cover the pool well with boards then apply a thick covering ot leaves 
or straw and the water will not freeze deeply or crack the cement. This is the ideal way to winter ha.rdy 
aquatics and goldfish. If the pool must be drained the lilies should be removed to a cold cellar or placed in 
a deep trench and well covered, keeping moist at all times. Tropical 
Lilies are hardy only where oranges may be grown. 
Winter Care of the Tub Garden. Empty the water out, then fill 
the tub full of leaves or straw, covering the tub closely with boards 
to keep out the rain. Cover all over thoroughly with litter for fur¬ 
ther protection. 
Winter Care of Goldfish. Common goldfish are hardy in natural 
pools or where the pool is covered. Be sure and break the ice fre¬ 
quently to keep the water fresh. It is best in small pools to remove 
fish to basement, keeping them in tubs. 
Pests. Plant lice or aphis which sometimes attack the leaves 
should be immediately hosed off, when the fish will eat them. Mos¬ 
quitos are always kept completely in check by goldfish or any other 
fish. (There will be no mosquitos where there are goldfish.) 
TERMS 
We Guarantee the Safe Arrival of All Plants Shipped. All Plants Sent Postage Free 
TERMS. We accept orders only when accompanied by funds suffi¬ 
cient to cover price of goods. We do not ship C. O. D. unless 50% of 
the price is received with the order to insure acceptance. We prepay 
postage on all plants shipped. 
REMITTANCES. Remit by P. O. money order, express money 
order or draft. Make all remittances payable to Johnson Water 
Gardens, Hynes, Calif. 
HOW AND WHEN WE SHIP. Water Plants may be shipped 
safely at any time of the year. Unless otherwise instructed we 
will ship all orders at as early a date as experience has shown us 
is advisable for your own particular locality. Where Aquarium 
Plants only are ordered they are shipped at once. All plants are 
shipped by Parcel Post. 
CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS are shipped at once when the order 
is received. They may be shipped safely at any time of the year. 
SEEDS are mailed at once. 
A home-made water garden built in spare 
moments. The cost is surprisingly small. 
♦ 
You Can’t Go Wrong With Johnson’s Lilies 
♦ 
Copyright Johnson Water Gardens, 1934. 
