Water gardeners’ essential guide

This tantalizing reference opens with a full-color “Gallery of Waterlilies and Lotuses” -- scores of blossoms, leaves and seedpods in exotic forms and sun-washed hues. There’s enough concentrated beauty to make a plant-lover swoon.

Next, nearly 500 of the aquatic wonders are described: hardy and tropical, day- and night-blooming, scentless or fragrant, classic and new -- many with colorful names. Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ (1887) is a free-flowering pale yellow waterlily with a faint pink blush; ‘Leopardess’ (1931) has clear blue flowers and purple-splotched leaves. The lotus Nelumbo ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ (1987) is self-descriptive; ‘Night and Day’ (1996) makes the finest-cut lotus flower.

Practiced water gardeners will value the book as the author’s definitive work. Slocum -- an acclaimed plant breeder, nurseryman and nature photographer -- died shortly after its completion. Less-experienced readers, enticed by the stunning images, will find ample support in the well-organized chapters on each major group.

Suitable pool size, from a 3-foot-wide tub to a large natural pond a la Monet’s Garden, is suggested for each species and cultivar, which should help narrow choices. Sources are also provided, including Claude Monet’s own supplier (www.latour-marliac.fr) and several much closer to home.

-- Lili Singer