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Planting a Hardy Water Lily To flower and flourish, a water lily needs care like any other perennial. Proper sunlight, soil, fertilization, water depth and pruning will determine the success of the plant. Plant only in clay-based topsoil in an aquatic pot (no holes).  Position the water
lily so that it receives at least five or more hours of direct sunlight.
The afternoon sun is best. Some varieties will flower at a reduced rate
in less sunlight. More sun means more flowers. A pond in full sun
is preferred. Do not worry about the water being too hot for the fish,
remember, the water lily is keeping the water cool. Use a planting container that is as large as your pond can accommodate. Larger soil volume mean bigger flowers and leaves. A pot that is wide instead of deep is preferred. Place the pot at the bottom of the pond up to three feet deep. Allow a minimum of ten inches of water to cover the soil surface. Note shallower requirements of some smaller varieties require placing the pot no less than eighteen inches deep. Position a plant less than the preferred depth and quality of flowers will be reduced. Be sure the roots are below the freeze line in water.
Planting a Lotus With large, bold leaves standing high above the water, the lotus is a midsummer treat, fragrant colorful blossoms sometimes reaching twelve inches across. The first leaves float on the pond's surface like a water lily. As summer approaches, the emerging leaves are held well above the water, setting the stage for the summertime display. In July the flower buds begin to develop until the flowers burst forth for an eight week spectacle, The heady fragrance carried through the garden is a bonus to the stately flowers. As each flower begins to fade, the petals drop off, revealing the exotic seed head, a common component of dried floral arrangements.  The best soil is a heavy clay loam that will anchor the tuber as it develops. A light layer of gravel is recommended except where the growing tips are. Care must be taken to avoid obstructing the new growth. After planting, the lotus should be placed in water four to ten inches over the soil surface. Once the lotus is established, it will grow well with twelve to eighteen inches of water over the soil the year round. Do You Want a Lotus and Don't Have Room in the Pond? Sink a pot of lotus into the ground beside the pond or anywhere else in your garden. A lotus planted in a ten gallon pot will over-winter in Zone 6 when buried in the ground to the rim of the pot. Use as large a pot as possible to accommodate the plant. Fill up to two thirds full with soil, leaving the rest of the space for water. Control mosquito larvae by floating a Mosquito Dunk in water each month or put a goldfish or two in the water if there are five gallons or more. Winter Planting Floating Plants
As an edge planting, push roots between rocks on the submerged edge of the pond. These "planted" floaters will root among the stones, and will often grow fuller and flower better. Hyacinths will also adapt well to planting into the stream bed where the water rushes over the weighted down root system. Good, inexpensive, quick cover for new water gardens. Hyacinths prefer full sun and Lettuce prefers light shade.
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These
underwater plants are very important to the pond ecology. They
contribute to clear water as well anything else you might put into
your garden, sometimes referred to as "nature's filter".
To be the most effective, they should be stocked at the rate of
one bunch per one to two square feet of pond surface area or one
bunch for every 12 to 24 gallons of water.
Plant
the water lily according to the photo below. The rhizome (root) is
positioned so that the cut end is against the side of the pot, not in
the middle. This gives the root as much room as possible to spread
across the pot.
Planting
is simple with floating plants, just toss them in and they float
according to the will of the wind. Buoyant leaves keep these plants
afloat, making the great natural spawning areas for fish as well as
protection for fish, large and small. Their best contribution to the
pond, however, is the enhanced water quality that you get from them. The
roots dangle in the water and readily absorb organic pollutants. They
also form a very aggressive mat of plants that shade the water below,
keeping it cool and dark, thus reducing algae growth.