Fay McDonald Purple Water Lily

Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily – A Rare Blue-Purple Gem

The Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily is an extraordinary cross between hardy and tropical species (an ISG, or Intersubgeneric hybrid). This striking hybrid displays large, 5- to 8-inch blooms drenched in shades of blue-lavender and violet-purple, sometimes with a subtle amber base.

Each flower stands slightly above the water on its first day, gradually settling to float gracefully by its third and final bloom day. After closing, the bud slips below the surface to set seed — a fascinating process to watch in any pond.

Fay McDonald blooms freely through the warm season, filling your pond with tropical color and a sweet, clean fragrance, all in a winter-hardy plant that returns each spring in Zones 6 – 12. Fast-growing, fragrant, and dramatic, it’s one of the finest ISG lilies ever hybridized.

Planting & Care Instructions

• Plant Size: Medium-to-large ISG hybrid

• Spread: 3.5 – 6 feet

• Suggested Container: 16-inch or larger aquatic fabric pot, or plant directly into a shallow earth-bottom pond shelf

• Planting Depth (from soil to water surface): 8 – 16 inches for best flowering; can tolerate up to 24 inches in full sun

• Soil: Heavy loam topsoil or PondGro Aquatic Loam Soil; avoid bagged composts or gravel, which rot or float

• Sunlight Needs: Full sun — at least 6 + hours of strong, direct midday light daily

• Blooming Habit: Above-average bloomer with proper fertilizer and space

• Water: Still or lightly moving water; avoid fountains splashing on pads

Fertilizing Schedule

• Feed on the 1st and 15th of each month (May – September).

• Use 6 – 8 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tablets per feeding (1.5 – 2 times the rate of standard hardy lilies).

• Press tablets 3 – 4 inches deep near the rhizome crown.

• Regular feeding encourages continuous blooms, large pads, and strong growth.

Fragrance

Fay McDonald releases a distinctly sweet, tropical-style perfume that’s stronger than most hardy lilies — noticeable across the pond when the blooms open fully in afternoon sunlight.

Water Lily Planting Tips

💡 Use a larger container (16 inches or more) to allow this vigorous ISG hybrid room to grow.
💡 Plant shallower (8–12 inches) for more frequent blooms and stronger color.
💡 Provide at least 6 hours of sunlight for consistent flowering.
💡 ISGs are heavy feeders — fertilize 1.5 – 2× the normal rate for hardy waterlilies.
💡 Divide rhizomes in spring or midsummer as needed to maintain vigor and bloom density.

Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Plant in full sun for the best color and steady flowering.

• Use heavy loam soil for long-term root stability.

• Fertilize on schedule and at a higher rate than standard hardy lilies.

• Divide annually to control size and rejuvenate growth.

• Keep crowns slightly exposed above the soil.

Don’t

• ❌ Don’t use bagged composts or gravel — they float and decompose underwater.

• ❌ Don’t bury the crown — it must stay at the soil surface.

• ❌ Don’t crowd pads with other lilies or floating plants; ISGs need open water space.

• ❌ Don’t plant too deep or blooms will decrease.

• ❌ Don’t allow rhizomes to dry out — plant immediately after unpacking.

Shipping Information

• Shipping Window: April through September across the USA

• Spring Schedule: Ships according to our posted planting calendar, timed to your region’s safe planting window (northern zones ship later).

• Weekly Shipments: After spring, plants ship weekly through summer until or through September.

• Method: 2–3 day service (usually UPS; occasionally USPS or FedEx depending on region).

• Schedule: Shipments go out early each week to avoid weekend delays.

• Tracking: You’ll receive an email with tracking details the day your order ships.

Arrival & Guarantee:

• Shipped as a live pond plant (rhizome with starter growth).

• Must be repotted immediately into heavy loam soil or planted directly into an earth-bottom pond upon arrival.

• Keep all parts (rhizome, crown, roots, and stems) wet during unpacking and planting.

• Minor leaf damage or yellowing is normal and replaced by new growth quickly.

• For any concerns, email photos within 24 hours (unpacked plant + packing slip with initials) to PondQuestions@gmail.com.

Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily – Specifications

About the Variety – Fay McDonald

The Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily is one of the most successful intersubgeneric hybrids ever created. By combining the cold tolerance of a hardy lily with the vivid color and fragrance of tropical species, hybridizers achieved a plant that delivers tropical beauty with hardy reliability.

Fay McDonald’s large purple-blue flowers and sweet scent make it a showpiece in any pond. As a rapid grower and generous bloomer, it fills the water’s surface with vibrant color and a gentle fragrance that lasts all summer.

Benefits of Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily

• 💜 Unique purple-blue blooms rare in hardy types.

• 🌿 Hybrid strength — tropical color with hardy resilience.

• 🌞 Heavy bloomer when fertilized regularly.

• 💨 Sweet fragrance adds to the pond experience.

• 🌸 Fast growing and vigorous — great coverage and continuous beauty.

Why Gardeners Love This Variety

Because Fay McDonald Hardy ISG Water Lily offers the rare combination of tropical beauty and hardy dependability. Its dazzling blue-purple flowers stand above the water in elegant display, then float serenely in later bloom days, creating ever-changing interest.

Gardeners love its sweet fragrance, nonstop blooms, and easy maintenance. Few lilies offer this kind of presence in the pond — it’s bold, fragrant, and absolutely unforgettable.