David Austin Rose vs Water Lily

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

David Austin Rose

Rosa 'Graham Thomas'

Rosaceae · flowers

Medium Maintenance

Water Lily

Nymphaea spp.

Nymphaeaceae · aquatic

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

David Austin Rose (Zones 5-10)

Water Lily (Zones 3-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rosaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	5'	6"
Spread	4'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

David Austin Rose

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Water Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose David Austin Rose if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–10.

Choose Water Lily if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with aquatic water in zones 3–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View David Austin RoseProfile →View Water LilyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can David Austin Rose and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

David Austin Rose grows in USDA zones 5-10, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 10.

Do David Austin Rose and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

David Austin Rose needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, David Austin Rose or Water Lily?

David Austin Rose grows taller at 5' compared to Water Lily at 6". David Austin Rose spreads 4' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are David Austin Rose and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but David Austin Rose is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect David Austin Rose with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, David Austin Rose or Water Lily?

Both David Austin Rose and Water Lily have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	David Austin Rose	Water Lily
Scientific Name	Rosa 'Graham Thomas'	Nymphaea spp.
Family	Rosaceae	Nymphaeaceae
Category	flowers	aquatic
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Aquatic
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Pond/Water garden
Height	5'	6"
Spread	4'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow	White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Hybrid (England)	Worldwide
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Care Tips

David Austin Rose

✓Prune to shape in late winter.
✓Benefits from regular feeding.
✓Provide good air circulation.
✓Can be trained as a short climber on pillar or wall.

Water Lily

✓Plant in containers submerged 12-18 inches deep.
✓Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
✓Fertilize monthly during growing season.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose David Austin Rose if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–10.

Choose Water Lily if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with aquatic water in zones 3–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can David Austin Rose and Water Lily grow in the same hardiness zone?

David Austin Rose grows in USDA zones 5-10, while Water Lily grows in zones 3-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 10.

Do David Austin Rose and Water Lily have the same sun and water needs?

David Austin Rose needs full sun and medium water, while Water Lily needs full sun and aquatic water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, David Austin Rose or Water Lily?

David Austin Rose grows taller at 5' compared to Water Lily at 6". David Austin Rose spreads 4' while Water Lily spreads 4'.

Are David Austin Rose and Water Lily deer resistant?

Water Lily is deer resistant, but David Austin Rose is not. If deer are a concern, Water Lily is the better choice, or protect David Austin Rose with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, David Austin Rose or Water Lily?

Both David Austin Rose and Water Lily have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.