HINTS ON THE CULTURE OF WATER LILIES AND AQUATICS 
Water Lilies are easier to grow than anything in the garden and far less trouble. 
They bear flowers in direct proportion to the amount of space and quality of soil used. 
Aquatic plants do best in a good rich clay loam. Probably the best is that from a 
pasture or good garden. Mix well with one-third well rotted cow manure. Bone meal or 
dried blood are also excellent — about one pound to V/i cubic feet of soil. 
After the soil is mixed, spread it over the bottom of the pool to the required depth, 
about 12”. In the formal pool or where it is desired to keep the varieties separate, boxes 
or tubs may be used. Bear in mind always that the more and better soil make more and 
better flowers. 
In planting it is safe to allow 4 to 6 square feet of pool surface for each lily. That 
will allow plenty of room for other aquatic plants. 
Water Lilies should be planted with the top root or bulb about even with the sur¬ 
face of the soil. Then cover with sand or gravel to keep the fish from disturbing the 
soil. From 4” to 12” of water above the crown will do, striking a medium is always best. 
Start the plant with shallow water increasing the depth as they grow larger and stronger. 
Plenty of sunlight is essential and will repay you in size and quality of blooms. 
As you see there is no mystery about the successful culture of Water Lilies. Good 
soil, plenty of sunlight and from 4” to 12” of water above the crown, will make your gar¬ 
den as beautiful as any in the land. 
Hardy Water Lilies do best when planted after the middle of April as at that time 
they start growing in their natural state. 
Tropical or tender Water Lilies do best after warm weather is established, therefore 
we ship strong, well grown plants after June 1st. 
We are familiar with the proper time to plant in all sections of the country, and 
we never ship before it is time to plant in your section and we always ship in plenty of 
time to allow you the longest period of enjoyment from your pool. 
ANNUAL OR TROPICAL WATER LILIES 
Believing that the term “Tropical” frightens many people away from these, most 
gorgeous of all water flowers, we are terming them “Annuals” as they grow prolifically 
in the latitude of New York, Cleveland, and Chicago from June 1st until frost. 
Experience has taught us that tropical lilies often become dormant if placed in the 
outside pool too early, so we start the bulbs for our customers in our greenhouses and 
ship healthy growing plants after June 1st. Plants in this class shipped earlier only at 
the specification and risk of the customer. 
These annuals are by far the largest and most free blooming of water lilies, and 
it is only in them that the blue varieties may be found. Blooms are often twelve inches 
or more in diameter. 
While we carry and produce many obscure varieties of interest to collectors, we are 
listing here only those lilies which experience has shown to be the most beautiful and 
successful with a minimum of care. 
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