Water Garden Plants, how to introduce?

[Beausmom]

I was just given some water lilys and irises. I have no idea how to introduce them to an existing outside water area with decorative fish. Does anyone know if they need to be planted or can they be free floating? I only know that they are lilys and irises. Not the type or anything. The holding area the fish are in is not a pond yet. We are thinking of building one. The fish were left here. I have the plants in a bucket at the moment. Should I dump them in with the fish until I know what to do with them?
May I ask.....what is sharp sand? And if the water area is deep enough and the plants are submerged using the planters will that kill them?

[greatbrickhill]

Go to an Aquatic Shop and buy a small type of plastic basket which is perforated all over. Then go home and put the plant roots in it with alittle sharp sand and some pebbles and let it gently sink to the bottom. It will grow and show on the surface as you would wish