About

A hardy, compact, free-flowering, evergreen aquatic perennial which has oval, slightly mottled dark green leaves. Flowers stay open longer into the afternoon than other varieties. Large, perfumed, star-shaped, semi-double creamy-yellow flowers with golden orange centres, appear well above the water surface from June through to September.

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
Spread0.5-1 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 15-25cm of water; as the plants establish gradually lower the plants to a depth of 50-60cm. 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. See pond plant propagation
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 crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot