Our New Family Member, the Water Hyacinth

We admired the beautiful water hyacinths growing in great big containers at a friend's home, and our lovely friend offered to give us some cuttings along with the guppies who live in this eco-system. This past Saturday we took her up on her offer and collected the cuttings and guppies. Bringing them home and installing them in our own container, the VERY next day the flower bloomed....and it only lasted one day!

Here is the description from the Water Garden Shop:

"Delicate flowers that usually last only a day, grace this plant with bluish to lilac blooms marked with yellow peacock center eyes on 6 in. spikes at the center of a rosette of glossy green, bulbous leaves. Air pockets in the bulbous areas keep the plant afloat. Long thick black roots trail to provide spawning and hiding places for fish. Another benefit is the nutrient absorbing qualities of the plant. Good for placement in the pond early as possible to get ahead of the algae. Typical to tropicals it requires heat and sunlight to flourish and bloom. A vigorous reproducer, you will need to thin out older plants. Will not winter over in most climates unless brought indoors to ample light and warm water above 70 degrees."