Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-04
Water Lilies.

From Garden and Forest
There are no plants perhaps which can be Guilt
with more pleasure than water Niles; and certain
ly no plants create more admiration when they
are seen In perfection
Inc natural conditions here are peculiarly favor
aoie 10 them. Shallow ponds with muddy bot
TOMS In which the burning rays of our summer
sun raises ana maintains the temperature OF the
wafer eoaimost tropical heat, are common In many
parts OF the country. Our native water lilies
uourlsh IN such ponds, which may be made the
in which gorgeous tropical varieties may be set to
mower during the summer months Tropical
wafer niles are grown in heated tanks, too.
grown In out-of-door tanks which can be heated by
pipes from the greenhouse boiler, II the tenderest
species or very early flowers are wanted Some Of
In tub OF water sunk In q city yard as In the
most elaborately- constructed and heated tank;
fountains make the most appropriate and by far
the most beautiful ornaments which can be used
10 such situations Water lilies are plants for the
poor as well as for the rich; and their decorative
capabilities are almost nmitlesa The number OF
species with handsome flowers Is already large,
BILE that we cannot form an idea even yet OF the
oeauty which intelligent cultivation Will develop
in these plants.
The true water lilies (Nymph9a) may be divi-
ded into two ciasses-thOse which expand their
MOWERS In the morning, closing them In the after
noon, and those which bloom only at night. Among
those OF the first class none is more lovely than
the common fragrant white lily OF the Eastern
states w odoratd). Its pure white. deliciOusly
fragrant flowers are not surpassed in deicacy and
IN real beauty BY any OF the more highly colOred
and shower flowers OF the tropics. This plant Is
very easily established In muddy, shallow ponds
by simply pushing bits OF the root down into the
mud, and IT Is one or the best water lilies grow
In tub, when, II planted in very rich soil. 1t will
produce an abundance OF flowers all summer long,
IN the autumn the water should be turned of and
the tub stored In a cellar or pit out OF the
reach OF hard freezing. There Is q pink
lowered variety OF the common water
lily found in pond in the town Of Sandwich in
Massachusetts. The flowers are much esteemed
and sell for high prices although really far less
beautiful than the white ones IL Is as easily cul-
tivated as the typical plant; and when trans
planted into other ponds 1t still produces its pink
flowers. Nyraph9d tuberosd, q native Of the re-
glon from Western New York TO the Mississippi,
where 1t inhaptts shallow ponds and sluggish
streams. Is handsome species with tuber-
bearing roots, large bold leaves, and pure
white flowers, sometimes ten inches across
Iney are quite devoid OF 0dor, how
ever, and although this very hardy, free-grow-
ing plant. soon spreading over large areas it has
not the charm and will never supersede It's hum
OF Florida is hardy too at the North, and will
flower abundantly If a warm situation and deep
soil are selected for 1t. 1t is not q very snowy
plant, however, and the interest which It excites
HeS IN The pale yellow color OF the flowers IAN
unusual color in water lies) rather than In their
beauty, and In Its history. For years 1t was only
known Dy the picture joined TO one OF the plates
In Auduo0n'S Birds Of America" while its ex-
lStence was doubted and denied.