About
Nymphaea 'Marliacea Albida' (H) is a deciduous, aquatic perennial, spreading to 1.5 m across, with oval, green leaves flushed bronze when young. A profusion of perfumed, semi-double, white flowers with prominent yellow centres are borne throughout the summer. One of the most popular and reliable of all hardy waterlilies for a medium to large pond.
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, Matforming
FoliageDeciduous
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
FragranceFlower
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 15-25 cm of water, as the plants establish lower the plants to twice the initial planting depth. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. See hardy waterlily cultivation
PruningDeadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
PropagationPropagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established
Pest resistanceSusceptible to waterlily beetle, waterlily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot