Yellow Water Lily Also known as brandy bottle from the strongly alcoholic smell of the flowers, Nuphar lutea is a beautiful, vigorous, native plant of still or slowly flowing water, often found in lakes and the backwaters of canalised rivers. It is a large, herbaceous pond-plant with a slowly expanding habit. The deep green, leathery leaves form ‘lily-pads’ on the surface of the water; there are also submerged leaves which sustain the plant if the ‘lily-pads’ are torn away. From June to August, butter-yellow flowers are carried above the water on short stems. Fast-growing yellow water lily needs room to spread, and is suitable for a large pond or lake. Position: Full sun to part shadePlanting depth: 2’- 6’ (60-180cm)Growth rate: Fast-growingFlowering period: June to AugustHardiness: Fully hardySize: from 2’6” (80cm) Spread: up to 6’6” (2m) Aquatic pot and compost variations Aquatic plants come in a variety of pot and compost variations that have different benefits for planting and growing. Mesh Pot (Aquatic Compost)Pot can be removed and plant can be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot and plant can also be placed directly into water to be container grown, but will still need repotting in time. Pot (Aquatic Compost)Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot (Regular Compost)Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above the water line. Cannot be planted directly into soil below the water line. Photo by Kenraiz, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.