The information I gleaned about my dwarf water lily (Nymphoides peltata) was that it was a vigorous plant, so much so that it could be invasive. However, last year it showed no such characteristic. Then of course it died down over winter and we had the very dry spell this spring.
Fortunately, with all the rain in recent weeks, it has shown more than signs of life. In fact, the leaves are starting to cover the pond surface and so it should surely be doing its job of oxygenating the water.
I’m now excited to see how much further it will extend. Will it, for example, grow into the shallower part of the pond? I hope so – but then the birds might have other ideas about its presence, as this is where they like to bathe.
At the moment, it seems they don’t need to bathe, as there is plenty of water falling out of the sky. They are also more than happy to drink from the various small containers dotted about the garden. So, the dwarf water lily may grow undisturbed. For now.
Growing out of chaos 
Plants never do what you expect – good luck with it!
Thank you, Simon!
We used to have lilies on a pond in a previous house and I loved them. I must get some here. Thank you for the nudge!
Oh, yes! Do you already have a pond (sorry if you’ve mentioned it before and I haven’t picked up on it/the relevant posts).
I have 3 – one very small so it is now almost more a marshy area and a bigger one in one of my greenhouses. Neither has an inflow so both are rather low at present. I can fill the one in the greenhouse from the water butts once they are full enough to get me through another dry spell. There is another in the deck which is filled from a water butt overflow so keeps a pretty constant depth. And a fourth is half dug on the veg patch to encourage frogs and toads to eat my slugs!
Ah yes, I remember you mentioning your pond in the greenhouse. Sounds like you have a good system.
A welcome invader, then
😃
Your pond is looking lovely so far this year…I hope it continues to thrive.
Thank you, Karen 😊
Do you know the name of the cultivar?
It’s Nymphoides peltata.
Ahh, I have one in my small pool by the patio here in Raleigh, NC (zone 7/8). By the second year it did cover most of the water surface and bloomed heavily but a picklerush next to it began to crowd and shade it out so it has slowed its growth during the season.
That’s good for your pond then! Hoping mine will bloom this year 😊