In a deeper pond, lily tubs could be stood on blocks so they can be reached at arms length The purpose of the lily tub is to anchor the waterlily, which when it is not rooted in is buoyant and likely to be a bit messy in growing habit if it is floating Theres no need to store hardy waterlilies indoors, they are hardy outdoors in a pond, set below the likely freeze line When waterlilies are growing in water too deep to wade, that is a problem, reaching them. You might try something like a boat hook to pull them to pieces where their roots are in soft mud... If you can feel the plants with your feet, put on a face mask, hold your breath and have a fun time doing an underwater tug of war lifting stray rhisomes where they wander Figuring a way to set a lily tub on a pedestal at a depth which is convenient to plant makes it easier to move the tub to a shallower depth to sort them out Waterlilies have varying growing habit, some trot 6' in a Summer, others trot a few inches a year. Needless to say the very invasive fast spreading types tend to be cheap and easy to find and probably the most unsuitable to plant on a very large pond. Marliac type waterlilies which have slow spreading but prolific blooming habit would better suit a position which is difficult to plant, that you do not want choked...

Thank you for the encouraging message, chas045! I hope they didn't completely get killed, maybe just snipped back a bit. It was this way-early warm spring we had and then WHAM! But as a pretty new gardener (with new plants I have little experience with) I am like a fussy first time mother. Any little sneeze and I fear a major illness!!!!

The lilies will grow fine in 42" water. As Gary mentioned if they are newly acquired and already have leaves on them raise them up and then lower gradually. Put them on the bottom for the winter and leave them there next spring. They will reach the top and do fine. Of course there is no problem with keeping them closer to the surface if you want. It's just a matter of choice. It may be easier to maintain them (prune and remove old blooms and dying leaves) if they are closer to the surface.

The best way to grow waterlilies is from tubers (tropicals) or rhizomes (hardies). I have grown waterlilies from seed....and you can get a tropical to bloom in the first season but a hardy will take two years or longer. Most people who grow them, grow them from divisions, since almost all are hybrids and won't bloom true from seeds. It can be interesting for a just for fun project. Tropical seeds are small...similar to poppy seeds. The way to plant them is to use finely sifted garden soil. Plant them and then cover the soil with some fine sand...like what is used for sand boxes...play sand. Lower carefully in water...like in an aquarium where there are no fish. Grow under lights....germinate usually in 10 to 14 days. However, they can be plagued by algae and fungus. so I wouldn't bother with it if that is your aim to have plants for a watergarden....I'd stick with buying or trading for plants. Hope this helps. I have grown waterlilies for almost 50 years.