Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily

Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily – A Work of Art in Bloom

The Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily is a living masterpiece that turns every pond into a canvas of color. With its pink-and-white striped petals and mottled red, cream, and green lily pads, no two blooms are ever exactly the same — each one looks hand-painted by nature herself.

A medium-sized variety and a reliable bloomer, Painted Lady delights gardeners all summer long with its kaleidoscope of color. The flowers are lush and multi-petaled, their shades shifting slightly as the blossoms age. The pads, too, are exquisite — splashed with creams, greens, and reds that enhance the vibrancy of the flowers.

A hybrid from the renowned breeder Tony Moore (2013), this hardy lily offers both rarity and performance. It blooms steadily from late spring through early fall and thrives in a variety of pond types, from lined water gardens to natural earth-bottom ponds.

Planting & Care Instructions

• Plant Size: Medium hardy waterlily

• Spread: 3–5 feet across

• Suggested Container: 14–16 inch wide aquatic fabric container, or plant directly in the shallow shelf of a natural pond

• Planting Depth (from soil to water surface): 6–18 inches for best flowering

• Soil: Heavy loam topsoil or PondGro Aquatic Loam Soil — avoid compost, peat, or aquatic planting media that float or rot

• Sunlight Needs: Full sun — at least 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily

• Water Conditions: Calm or still water preferred; avoid fountains or splashing

Fertilizing Schedule

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

• Insert 4–6 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tablets 3–4 inches deep around the rhizome crown.

• Consistent feeding encourages vibrant flower color, strong root growth, and continuous blooming.

Fragrance

The Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily has a light, fresh fragrance — subtle and sweet, adding a touch of natural perfume to the garden without overwhelming nearby blooms.

Water Lily Planting Tips

💡 Plant in full sun to enhance the intensity of both petal and pad coloration.
💡 Use wide containers to give rhizomes room to spread and produce continuous flowers.
💡 Plant slightly shallower (8–12 inches deep) for increased flower production.
💡 Trim yellow leaves and spent blooms regularly to maintain vigor.
💡 Divide every 1–2 years to prevent overcrowding and encourage renewal.

Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Plant in full sunlight for best bloom coloration.

• Use heavy loam soil for firm anchoring and nutrient retention.

• Fertilize consistently through the warm months.

• Keep pads spread across open surface water for optimal photosynthesis.

• Divide rhizomes every few years for healthy regrowth.

Don’t

• ❌ Don’t use compost, gravel, or peat-based soils — they can cause root damage or float.

• ❌ Don’t bury the rhizome crown; leave it exposed.

• ❌ Don’t allow floating plants to shade Painted Lady’s pads.

• ❌ Don’t plant too deep (>18 inches), which slows flowering.

• ❌ Don’t delay planting — waterlilies must stay wet and be planted immediately.

Shipping Information

• Shipping Window: April through September across the USA

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

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

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

• Schedule: Orders are shipped early each week to prevent 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 leaves) wet during unpacking and planting.

• Minor yellowing or bent leaves are 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.

Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily – Specifications

About the Variety – Painted Lady

The Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily is one of the most visually remarkable lilies available today. A modern hybrid by Tony Moore, it’s known for its unique pink-and-white striped petals and stunningly mottled pads, which shift in color with light and temperature.

Each plant produces a range of flower styles and shades, making it a favorite among collectors who love variation and artistry. Despite its rare beauty, Painted Lady is hardy and easy to grow — a variety that delivers reliable performance and a unique appearance.

Benefits of Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily

• 🎨 Unique coloration — pink-and-white striped petals unlike any other lily.

• 🌿 Mottled foliage adds color even when flowers are closed.

• 🌞 Steady bloomer through warm months.

• 💧 Hardy and low maintenance, perfect for collectors and beginners alike.

• 🪷 Adds vibrant contrast to ponds with solid-colored lilies.

Why Gardeners Love This Variety

Because Painted Lady Hardy Water Lily is living art — no two blooms are ever the same. Its constantly changing colors, from petal to pad, give the pond a dynamic, enchanting character.

Gardeners treasure its combination of reliability, originality, and beauty — a truly distinctive lily that thrives with little effort but rewards you with a masterpiece every single day.