Water lilies create a literal sea of flowers on ponds and lakes in summer. With their flowers they can cover the entire surface of the water and create romantic, dreamy accents. But when exactly is their heyday?
When are water lilies blooming?
The flowering period of water lilies extends from early summer to late summer, with the first flowers appearing as early as May and some species blooming until September. The duration of the flowering period varies depending on the type and location of the plant.
From early summer to late summer
If spring has been mild, the first water lily flowers will open in May. Usually most species are in full bloom in June. The flowers have these properties:
- fragrant
- hermaphrodite
- remember stars
- wide open to half open
- 6 to 50 free petals
- colored white, yellow, red, blue, orange, green or purple
Duration of flowering period
The duration of the flowering period depends on the type and location of the plant. Some species only bloom for a few days, others for several weeks to months. The flowering period of the white water lily, for example, lasts until September.
On average, water lily flowers are open for 3 to 7 days. The reason why the flowering period can extend over several months is that new flowers are constantly being formed. There are also species such as tropical species with blue flowers that only bloom at night and have their flowers closed during the day.
What you can do to increase the flowering period
Flowering is encouraged when planting. A location with at least 6 hours of sunshine per day, in calm water that is not too shallow, is important. After wintering, you should fertilize your water lilies. It is also advisable to divide these plants regularly.
Tip
If your water lilies don't bloom, it's usually because the plants are too close together and the leaves are crowded together, leaving no room for flowers.
