Comparing Water Hyacinth varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Water Hyacinth family and have some observations to share. extraordinary flower forms rising above or floating on the water varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — removing dying foliage in autumn before it rots and reduces water quality applies across all of them.

blanketweed algae competing for nutrients in established ponds affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a stream edge or bog garden which works well for most varieties. foliage die-back and pond tidying in autumn is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.