Thanks, Holly - now that, I could certainly try! I'll buy a blue waterlily here in England and send it to myself in France just before our next trip. I'll let you know how it goes And thank you too to everyone who has made such helpful suggestions.

Well it has definitely been a hit or miss. I usually put 3 tubers away each winter and 1 or 2 will be viable come spring. Never all 3.

Lol your MIL surely have an extreme adventurous spirit Mary

Yes she does, Hendrik. I admire her greatly. She is 86 I believe and only recently has slowed down. 50 years working as a nurse, retired at 70. I say 'retired' tongue in cheek as she is more busy than ever with her groups, hobbies, travel. I need more quiet time.

Did Prince William and his wife visit your country. From England. They are such a cute couple if you can say that about the future king of England.

I potted my new waterlilies and marginal plants. Not sure how they will do as the temps at night are still very cold. But at least they are planted and in the water. As soon as I can I need to get my brick towers (of sorts) into the pond to get them further out and yet only about 1' down in the water. And two marginal need to be hung from the sides as I don't have nice shelves for them to sit on in the pond. I would build my pond so differently if I were to do it again.

Now i cant wait to see dwarf papyrus bloom,
I just bought this lil guy this morning from my fave local nurseries and very cheap, only cost 3 usd

Hendrik , those are nice looking! That plant has been on my wish list. What a great treat to get them at a good price.

Nice Hendrik, and what a great price! We have the same plant in our pond in France, but the koi seem to like demolishing it

I have lots of this plant but keep it potted up high out of the water so koi can't eat it or wreck it. Can't have water lilies as they eat that right away. My papyrus grows so high wind often breaks it over but at least koi can't get to it. I have had calla lilies and canna in the pond and they live fine.
Happy ponding all.

@audrey we here in indonesia have so many cheap price plants, yeah because the difference currency are so high, papyrus very delightful to be seen in our pond
@mika : thats why i never kept koi in my pond or pond container beside i dunt have a lots of space for them too

This lotus has four buds up, but I've been ill and unable to get out and take pictures. This was taken just after the bloom closed for the evening. This flower's been blooming for a couple days, so it will probably open completely tomorrow and fall apart by evening, scattering large white petals.




Edit:
I had to run outside just now to put out the trash, and I noticed the flower was already open again (it's just before 4am here).

Beautiful!

And just for completeness, here is what's left, less than 24 hours after the first picture (and 12 hours after the second).

Waterlilies in the koi pond.

I believe this bloom and foreground leaves are Augustus McCray from Texas Water Lilies. The quilted large pads behind are Euryale Ferox.

Oooh! Lovely! I had early blooms, but nothing since.

Beautiful, and very exotic looking!

Umbrella palm (though not exactly blooming!)

Definite lack of flower pictures this year. Here's one I cut to bring inside:

My water lily is sending up it's first bloom. Not open yet, but I am waiting anxiously!

Nothing much here yet but the Black Game Cock Iris is blooming have to get a picture as soon as it opens. I have that as a bog plant between two of my ponds.
The yellow water iris bloomed a week or so ago, it sure does look nice with the peonies and other early iris in the background.
We are a bit behind with none of our ponds up and running yet. Today might be a good day to mess with the pumps as it is going to be Hot Hot Hot!

I don't have a good pic from when it was in full bloom but this one towards the end will give you an idea of the color combos.

My water lily bloom opened today! Yay!