Hermine Hardy Waterlily – A Classic White Beauty

The Hermine Hardy Waterlily is an exquisite, vintage cultivar first hybridized by Latour-Marliac in 1910. This graceful white hardy water lily produces tulip-shaped blossoms with long, pointed petals and sunny yellow stamens. Flowers are smaller than many modern hybrids (2–4 inches across), making them perfect for small ponds and container gardens.

The pads are solid green, typically 4–6 inches in diameter, creating an elegant background for the pristine white flowers. Hermine Hardy Waterlily is a free-flowering, easy-to-grow perennial that will return year after year when planted properly. This century-old variety continues to be a standout in both small water features and traditional ponds.

Hermine Hardy Waterlily Planting and Care

• Container Size: Plant in a 10–14 inch wide aquatic fabric container, or directly into the edge of a shallow natural pond.

• Planting Depth: 6–15 inches from the soil surface to the water’s surface.

• Soil: Always use heavy loam soil or PondGro Aquatic Soil. Avoid bagged compost or potting mixes as they float and rot in water.

• Sunlight Requirements: At least 6 hours of strong midday sun for best flowering.

• Fertilizer: Add 2–3 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs on the 1st and 15th of each month, spring through September.

Divide the rhizomes every 1–2 years in early summer if the plant becomes root-bound to keep flowering vigorous.

Do’s and Don’ts for Hermine Hardy Waterlily

✅ Do:

• Plant in full sun with unobstructed exposure.

• Keep the crown of the rhizome just above the soil when planting.

• Fertilize consistently during the growing season for strong blooming.

• Use fabric aquatic pots for container planting, which allow rhizomes to spread.

❌ Don’t:

• Do not let your hardy water lily dry out on arrival. Plant immediately into soil and water—stems, crowns, and roots must remain wet at all times.

• Do not overcrowd. Hermine Hardy Waterlily requires an open surface area for its pads to spread and absorb sunlight. Floating plants or too many lilies in one pond will reduce flowering.

• Do not plant in stone, pea gravel, or bagged compost mixes.

• Do not place in deep shade; this variety requires direct sunlight to bloom properly.

Hermine Hardy Waterlily Spec Sheet

• Variety Name: Hermine Hardy Waterlily

• Bloom Color: Pure White (2–4 inch blossoms)

• Pad Color/Size: Solid Green, 4–6 inches across

• Plant Size: Small Hardy Water Lily

• Spread: 2–3 feet

• Depth from Soil to Water Surface: 6–15 inches

• Sunlight: Full 6+ hours of strong midday sun

• Fragrance: Light and sweet

• Container Size: 10–14 inch wide fabric container minimum

• Fertilizer: 2–3 Waterlily World Fertilizer Tabs on the 1st & 15th of each month

• Shipped As: Live pond plant – must be repotted immediately into an aquatic fabric container or earth-bottom pond upon arrival. All parts of the plant must remain wet at all times.

• Winter Hardy Zones: 4–12

Shipping Information for Hermine Hardy Waterlily

• Shipping Window: Hardy water lilies ship April through September across the USA.

• Order Priority: Early pre-season orders (placed in winter or early spring) ship first in April and May, before new in-season orders.

• Shipping Method: Plants ship via 2–3 day service (usually UPS) at the beginning of each week to reduce weekend delays.

• Tracking: Customers receive an email with tracking details on the day the order ships.

• Upon Arrival: plant immediately upon receipt. Minor yellow leaves or broken pads are normal in shipping; new growth will emerge quickly.

• Issues/Guarantee: For any shipping concerns, email photos (plant out of the box, packing slip with initials, and condition details) within 24 hours to pondquestions@gmail.com.

✨ The Hermine Hardy Waterlily combines timeless beauty with ease of care, making it an outstanding choice for smaller ponds or container gardeners who want a historic and elegant white water lily.