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| The Hardy Water-Lilies |
Only seven major species of hardy water-lilies are recognized in The
Waterlilies, the excellent 1905 monograph of the genus Nymphaea by
Henry S. Conard. But some present-day botanists claim there are many
times that many species, probably because the plants of a single species
grown in different parts of the country tend to develop regional characteristics. In time these characteristics assert themselves more and
more plainly, until finally a botanist or plant anatomist decides the
water-lily has developed such an individuality that it deserves a species
name of its own.
I have set down many species in the list which follows, but certainly
not because I want to take issue with accepted classifications. Many
varieties have been included in some of the doubtful species. If I refuse to recognize the species in question, I would have to rename the
variety. Therefore, in the interests of simplicity, I have left plants in
the species originally claimed for them.
All of the hardy water-lilies bloom in the daytime, and most of them
for three consecutive days. As a rule, the flowers float, although some
varieties thrust them above the surface of the water, especially if the
plants are crowded. The hardies grow throughout the North Temperate
Zone, except on the Pacific slope of North America, and there are some
growing in Alaska.
Changeable Water-Lilies
Of all water-lilies, a group of hardies called Changeables is one of
the most fascinating. A Changeable water-lily is just that. Its bud unfolds with a bloom of one color. Before the end of the first day, the hue
of the flower begins to change to some other color. So, in three successive days of blooming, the flower presents three distinct hues. I have
indicated which of the hardies are changeable. Catalogs frequently list
these as Sunset Shades.
A Note About Size
When I speak of an extensive grower in these lists I refer to waterlilies with blooms and leaves that cover 10 to 12 square feet of pool or
lake space. Medium grower indicates a plant that covers 8 to 10 square
feet. A small grower confines the leaf spread to 4 square feet or less.
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