Virginalis White Hardy Water Lily

Virginalis Hardy Water Lily – A Classic White Beauty

The Virginalis Hardy Water Lily is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved white waterlilies ever created. A masterpiece from the renowned French hybridizer Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac, Virginalis has been admired for over a century for its large, pure-white, cup-shaped blooms that float serenely on the water.

Each flower opens with flawless form — elegant, slightly pointed petals arranged around a glowing golden center. The blooms are gently fragrant and sit gracefully above deep green pads, creating a look that feels both regal and peaceful.

Refined yet vigorous, Virginalis is a reliable perennial that thrives in a wide range of pond types, from formal koi ponds to natural earth-bottom settings. It’s a must-have for any water garden that values classic beauty and enduring performance.

Planting & Care Instructions

• Plant Size: Medium-to-large hardy waterlily

• Spread: 4–5 feet across

• Suggested Container: 15-inch or larger aquatic fabric container, or plant directly into an earth-bottom pond

• Planting Depth (from soil to water surface): 6–30 inches; blooms best between 8–18 inches

• Soil: Use heavy loam topsoil or PondGro Aquatic Loam Soil. Avoid bagged compost, peat, or aquatic planting media that float or decay in water.

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

• Water Conditions: Still or calm water; avoid placing near fountains or splashing features.

• Blooming Habit: Steady, dependable bloomer throughout summer.

Fertilizing Schedule

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

• Insert 4–5 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tablets 3–4 inches deep around the rhizome crown.

• Consistent feeding ensures large, luminous flowers and continuous blooming.

Fragrance

The Virginalis Hardy Water Lily emits a light, clean fragrance that enhances its serene visual beauty — subtle enough for formal water features but pleasantly noticeable when you’re nearby.

Water Lily Planting Tips

💡 Plant shallower (8–14 inches deep) for quicker establishment and more blooms.
💡 Use wide containers with heavy loam soil for healthy root expansion.
💡 Divide rhizomes every 2–3 years to maintain vigor and ensure consistent flowering.
💡 Keep the water still for the best bloom display — avoid aeration directly over the plant.
💡 Trim away yellowing leaves and spent flowers to encourage continuous new growth.

Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Plant in full sun for abundant blooms.

• Use heavy loam soil for root stability.

• Fertilize regularly for the strongest flowering results.

• Divide every 2–3 years to refresh growth.

• Keep crowns slightly above the soil surface when planting.

Don’t

• ❌ Don’t use gravel, compost, or lightweight soil mixes — they cause poor growth.

• ❌ Don’t bury the crown under soil or stones.

• ❌ Don’t overcrowd; lilies need space and sunlight.

• ❌ Don’t plant too deep if heavy blooming is desired.

• ❌ Don’t delay planting; lilies must stay wet and be potted immediately upon arrival.

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 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 based on destination.

• Schedule: Orders are shipped 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 in heavy loam soil or planted directly into an earth-bottom pond.

• Keep all parts — rhizome, crown, roots, and leaves — wet during unpacking and planting.

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

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

Virginalis Hardy Water Lily – Specifications

About the Variety – Virginalis

The Virginalis Hardy Water Lily has stood the test of time as one of the most beloved white waterlilies in the world. Developed in France by Latour-Marliac in the late 19th century, this elegant variety helped inspire the famous waterlily paintings of Claude Monet.

Known for its large, pristine white blooms and dependable performance, Virginalis continues to be a top choice for gardeners and collectors alike. It thrives in both lined and natural ponds, combining old-world charm with reliable modern hardiness.

Benefits of Virginalis Hardy Water Lily

• 🤍 Large, pure-white blooms symbolize peace and elegance.

• 🌿 Classic French hybrid with over a century of proven performance.

• 🌞 Steady bloomer in full sun all summer long.

• 💧 Hardy perennial that returns year after year.

• 🪷 Fragrant and easy to grow, suitable for all skill levels.

Why Gardeners Love This Variety

Because the Virginalis Hardy Water Lily represents the pinnacle of classic pond beauty. Its glowing white blooms and graceful pads create a peaceful, timeless look that complements any garden style.

Gardeners treasure its history, fragrance, and reliability, knowing that this is the same species admired in Monet’s gardens at Giverny. Virginalis adds an air of calm sophistication — a true heirloom waterlily that endures through the ages.