About
A waterlily with leaves up to 18cm across that are green above with brownish-purple undersides. Star-shaped flowers to 15cm in diameter have pinkish-tinged outer petals and yellow-orange to white inner petals surrounding the golden-yellow stamens Dwarf/small cultivars reach 30–60cm (1–2ft) wide, and need water 30–45cm (12–18in) deep Medium cultivars reach 60–120cm (2–4ft) wide, and need water 45–75cm (18–30in) deep Large cultivars reach up to 2.4m (8ft) wide, and need water 75–120cm (30in–4ft) deep For a suitable planting depth in your pond, please follow the plant label guidelines.
About the genus
Nymphaea are rhizomatous, submerged aquatic perennials with floating, rounded leaves and showy, sometimes fragrant, cup- or bowl-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours, held on or above the water and followed by submerged, berry-like fruits
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic
HabitSubmerged, Floating
FoliageDeciduous
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPonds, water features, bog gardens.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position basket so that it is covered by 15-25cm of water; as the plants establish gradually lower the plants to a depth of 50-70cm. Feed during the growing season with aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. See hardy waterlily cultivation for more advice
PruningDeadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
PropagationPropagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, water lily beetle and water lily aphid. See waterlily pests for more details
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to brown spot, crown rot and water lily leaf spot