I have waterlillys in a small pond, and live in Maggie Valley, NC. How do I protect them in the winter?

Thank you for any information you can provide,
Joan :)

JB,
How deep is your pond? If it doesn't freeze solid, just leave them in there! We live in DC, have a 3-4ft pond, and we leave ours out there. It's been outside for 6 years now, in a 8 inch diameter pot, but we did transplant it this year into a small dishpan.

Mary Anne

Depends if they're tropical or hardy!

Hardy, leave them in.

Tropical, remove and bring inside when the water temps become consistently below 65 degrees or so.

Hardy waterlilies usually do just fine especially in your warmer climate. If the pond is deep enough that the roots of the waterlily do not freeze, then it should come back.

For tropical waterlilies, see this page on details to overwinter them.
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/overwinter.htm

Thank you all for your replies to my question about waterlillies in Maggie Valley, NC

Can you divide and replant lily roots in the fall, I live in Northern Michigan, Traverse City...............When is the best time to divide iris's plants? Thanks in advance..............CF

Water lilies are best divided in early spring when the first leaves come out, probably May in Michigan. You can divide the water lilies now although not ideal; try to avoid damaging any remaining leaves. Water iris are best divided in the fall, right about now.