Purple, Pink & Blue Hardy HXT™ Waterlilies Now Available for Colder Climates

High Springs, Florida, April 9, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Waterlilies (nymphaea) bring beauty, color, habitat and contribute to water clarification in a backyard pond.  Most waterlilies on the market are hardy (perennial – plant hardiness zones 3 through 11) but offer limited color choice such as white, yellow, peach, pink and some reds. To get an extended range of colors, textures, sizes and fragrances, the pond owner/builder would have to plant tropical waterlilies. For most of us, tropical waterlilies do not overwinter in a pond (except far South zone 10 and 11) which translates to more time and resources to locate, acquire and pot replacement plants.

This is about to change, as Turtle Island Waterlilies  has been busy developing a line of hybridized waterlilies, merging the beauty, fragrances and other features of tropical waterlilies into a creation of new line of hybrid hardy waterlilies adapted for northern climates. This year is a first in the industry where three unique hybridized HXT™ waterlilies are released in limited quantities for the collector and pond builder. Mike Giles, who created the famous disease resistant and super-bloomer ‘SunFire’™ hardy waterlily, is the hybridizer behind the scene for the new HXTs™ and states: “It took many years of selection but here they are, profuse continuous bloomers, medium to large flowers in exotic colors, relatively compact plants with nice subtle scents. Fertilize them and watch them bloom.” The "2015 Collectors HXT™ Trio" is available now in limited quantities, exclusively at www.turtleislandwaterlilies.com

"It took many years of selection but here they are, profuse continuous bloomers, medium to large flowers in exotic colors, relatively compact plants with nice subtle scents. Fertilize them and watch them bloom."

Mike Giles, Waterlily Hybridizer

Plant Description:

‘Turtle Island Violicious’®– A Vibrant Purple Hardy Waterlily
‘Turtle Island Violicious’® HXT™ is a newly registered intersubgeneric nymphaea; the result of hybridization between tropical and hardy nymphaeas highlighting a compact Marliac-Odorata root type. This plant is a great bloomer with a variable flower color usually between blueberry and amethyst but sometimes dark magenta.  The flowers are 5″ to 7″ with lemon to apricot center and purple tipped stamens that show tropical parentage. Some hardy candy sweetness with a light tropical scent is the signature of ‘Turtle Island Violicious’® HXT™. The plant has strong stems with flowers held high above water which should be great for cut flower arrangements. Expect a medium size plant with bronze or khaki pads that will mature to a dark glossy green. ‘Turtle Island Violicious’® HXT™ has tested hardy through multiple winters under 12 inches of ice and -20° F conditions, with no geothermal effect. The plant will start blooming continuously from Spring through sometimes late Fall with deeper colors. ‘Turtle Island Violicious’® HXT™ is partial shade tolerant and is a vigorous, low maintenance, disease resistant, beautiful hardy purple waterlily for your special pond.

‘Turtle Island Tropic Star’®– A Prolific Hot Pink Hardy Waterlily
‘Turtle Island Tropic Star’® HXT™ is a newly registered intersubgeneric nymphaea; the result of hybridization between tropical and hardy nymphaeas highlighting a compact Marliac-Odorata root type.  ‘Turtle Island Tropic Star’® HXT™ grows like a hardy waterlily and is quite the prolific bloomer. Akin to a watercolor painting, the delicate flowers display a fuchsia, pink and red palette with lighter petal bases. This exotic plant has medium flowers between 5″ to 8″ with pineapple center and tangerine stamens that mimic tropical stamens in form. The tips of the stamens are the color of the petals. The fragrance is of a light tropical note with some hardy sweetness. The flowers are held high above the water on good stems and should make great cut flowers. The plant size is medium in footprint with dark forest to green leaves that start out mahogany. ‘Turtle Island Tropic Star’® HXT™, tested hardy through multiple winters in our ponds under 12 inches of ice and -20° F. Blooming will start later than regular hardies but will be continuous till late Fall and may well extend through winter further South with fertilizer. ‘Turtle Island Tropic Star’® HXT™ is a beautiful, vigorous and trouble free hot pink HXT™ nymphaea addition for the connoisseur.

‘Turtle Island Fay McDonald’® – An Exquisite Amethyst Blue Hardy Waterlily
‘Turtle Island Fay McDonald’® HXT™ is a newly registered intersubgeneric nymphaea; the result of selection and hybridization between tropical and hardy nymphaeas highlighting a compact Marliac-Odorata root type. ‘Turtle Island Fay McDonald’® HXT™ grows like a hardy waterlily and is a fantastic bloomer. The flower color will exhibit variation through the season from a slate blue-indigo to a remarkable amethyst medium orchid with soft gradation toward the center and a light petal base. With maturity, expect flowers to grow from 6″ to 9″ with dark dandelion to burnt orange center and tangerine stamens that mimic tropical stamens in form and tips the color of the petals. The fragrance is of a nice tropical note with some lingering hardy sweetness. The flowers hold high above the water on strong stems and this plant should make great cut flowers. This is a medium size plant with medium red-bronze pads that will turn green later in the season. ‘Turtle Island Fay McDonald’® HXT™ has tested hardy in our natural ponds through multiple winters under 12 inches of ice and -20 F and keep coming back. Grows and starts blooming continuously in spring with other hardy lilies and will bloom late in the season like a tropical with increased color saturation. ‘Turtle Island Fay McDonald’® HXT™ is an exquisite, large, blue-purple flower on a medium size hardy plant for the collector.