My Sulphurea (cheapee from Menard's as I recall) really put out a bunch of leaves actually holding some above the water they were so thick. yellow flowers were nice.
My Colorado made good pad cover on that end of the pond but went absolutely wild with bloom...must have been at least 3-4 dozen over the course of the year...pink often held aloft.
Will

Thanks! Just what I'm looking for. I will be sure to try those varieties next year!

Colorado and Texas Dawn have lots of leaves.

Frequent repotting will make them grow less pads and have a more open center. A full center with humped up growth that sticks out of the water is normally a big sign to repot. If you don't repot, many if not most will do this.

Colorado is a very vigorous peach waterlily that blooms like crazy.