Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Helleborus orientalis
Ranunculaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Hellebore (Zones 4-9)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–9
| Feature | Hellebore | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Helleborus orientalis | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Rich, Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 1' 6" | 6" |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Late Winter-Spring | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White, Pink, Purple, Green | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Slow | Medium |
| Native Region | Europe, Asia | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Hellebore
Water Lily
Hellebore
Water Lily
Choose Hellebore if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–9.
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 4–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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