A Fascinating Variety
The Hardies
Only seven major species of Hardy water lilies are recognized in The Water lilies, the excellent 1905 monograph of the genus Nymphaea by Henry S. Conard. Present-day botanists, however, claim there are many times that species, probably because the plants of a single species grown in different parts of a 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 individuality that it deserves a species name of its own.
The Individuality of the Hardy
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 aquatic 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. Some foliage is growing in Alaska.
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 blooms with one color. Before the end of the first day, the hue of this aquatic flower begins to change to another color. So, in three successive days of blooming, Hardies present three distinct hues. I have indicated which of the Hardies are changeable. Catalogues frequently list these as Sunset Shades. When I speak of an extensive grower in these lists I refer to water lilies with blooms and leaves that cover 10 to 12 square feet of pool or lake space. Medium grower indicates a plant that covers eight to ten square feet. A small grower confines the leaf spread to four square feet or less.