I live near the Royal Military Canal in Kent and always look forward to the appearance of the wild water lilies. Great rafts of red/green foliage support the large, sparkling blooms of the white water lily, while the yellow fringed water lily spreads its dainty but prolific leaves and flowers from bank to bank.

Both these beauties are too vigorous for a garden pool or pond, but there's a great range of more restrained varieties for you to enjoy. Even tiny ponds in pots or half barrels can accommodate a miniature water lily such as buttercup yellow Pygmaea Helvola', white Nymphaea tetragena or Pygmaea Rubra' which darkens from pink to ruby.

In a larger pool with a surface area of at least two square metres you have more scope. Good choices include porcelain white, Gonnere' and rich magenta James Brydon', both of which have double flowers.

Simpler fluted blooms belong to the free-flowering Froebelii', generally regarded as the best red for smallish ponds.

Some varieties also have attractive scent including rose pink Laydekeri Liliacea' and primrose yellow Odorata Sulphurea'.

Before buying, check the depth of water they need - and if your pond is too deep support the container on blocks or bricks. Always grow water lilies in containers using good garden soil, or aquatic compost, topped off with gravel. Start the container off at half the eventual growing depth, lowering it about 15cm a month so the plant acclimatises gradually.

To maintain vigour, split your plants every three years or so, in April.

Jobs of the week * Sow fast-growing annuals such as clarkia, Californian poppy, love-in-the-mist and pot marigolds direct into the ground for late summer colour * Shade the greenhouse using netting or blinds - these are much more effective on the outside of the glass - or use shade paint such as Bio Coolglass * Give your houseplants a holiday by putting them outside for a couple of months - choose a sheltered spot out of strong, direct sunshine For the secret of good gardening, subscribe to Gardening Which?

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