Nymphaea (Hardy Water Lily Group)
- Description
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Hardy water lilies are herbaceous perennial water plants in the water lily family (Nymphaeaceae) native to many parts of the world including North America. The Genus name is Latin for "water lily"
These plants vary in size depending on the species and cultivar. They generally emerge in spring from rhizomes and this is the best time to divide them if needed. Provide at least 5 hours of sun in fertile loamy soils and fertilize with an appropriate fertilizer for water lilies according to package directions. If growing in a container, use heavier clay soil to prevent it from floating. Plant the rhizomes deep enough to prevent freezing in winter.
Many of these hybrid water lilies will provide a long season of blooms ranging in colors from white, pink, purple, yellow and orange. The flowers appear to float on the surface of the water although a few hold them above the water. Deadheading will encourage repeat blooming.
Use them in a water garden, pond, lake or container depending on their size. Many hybrids are available.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for crown rot, waterlily aphids, waterlily beetles, midges, and leaf spot
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Arc-en-ciel'
White flowers, variegated leaves, 4-5 feet - 'Attraction'
Good red flower for the south, 4 feet spread, slightly fragrant, tolerates some shade - 'Carnea'
White to pale pink blooms, very free-flowering over a long season, small, medium or large water gardens. - 'Charlene Strawn'
Delicate light yellow flowers, 2-4 feet wide, holds flowers above the water - 'Charles de 'Meurville'
Large red-pink blooms with bright orange stamens from June to September. 2-4 feet - 'Chromatella'
Yellow blooms, free-flowering, long season, use in in tubs or any size water garden. - 'Colorado'
Salmon colored flowers held above the water. Adaptable to containers or small to medium ponds. Long bloom season - 'Colossea'
hardy waterlily with pink to white flowers from early to late summer. Suitable for large and deeper ponds. Vigorous - 'Comanche'
Flowers change colors as it matures from orange to yellow, fragrant, long bloom season - 'Conqueror'
Red and white flowers, long bloom season, 3-5 feet wide - 'Cynthia Ann'
Blooms prolifically with peach flowers on a long stem. The flowers are smaller at 4-5 inches and it is ideal for small pool - 'Darwin'
Free-flowering, large, soft pink double flowers, medium to large gardens, long bloom time - 'Ellisiana'
Red free-flowering, prefers cooler weather summers, use in a tub or small water garden - 'Firecrest'
Hot pink flowers, moderate free-flowering, any size pond or large container - 'Froebeli'
Red flowers and suitable for containers and small water gardens - 'Georgia Peach'
Free flowering, peach flowers held above the water, adaptable, medium to large water gardens. - 'Gladstoniana'
Large double white flowers. Award of Garden Merit. Large water gardens - 'Gloriosa'
Red flower, free flowering over long season, adaptable to large container or any size pond - 'Helvola'
Also called Yellow Pygmy. Yellow blooms are free-flowering, works in a small water garden or container. Tolerates some shade - 'Innerlight'
Yellow to apricot blooms, held above the water, free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large sites - 'James Brydon'
Rose pink blooms, free-flowering, Use in a tub or small, medium or large water garden, tolerates some shade - 'Joanne Pring'
Miniature pink waterlily that flowers very freely and is suitable for small water gardens and containers or tubs. - 'Joey Tomocick'
Good yellow color, free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large water gardens. - 'Lemon Chiffon'
Double yellow blooms and mottled pads. Use for small to medium water gardens. - 'Lily Pons'
Showy peony-shaped pink blooms. It is not a heavy bloomer, needs a large water garden - 'Louise'
Red flower with lighter outer leaves, held just above the water, medium to large ponds. - 'Luciana'
Free-flowering pink blooms, adaptable, any size water garden or tub. - 'Lucida'
red to pink flowers which are very free-flowering. Tolerates partial shade and can be used in any size water garden. - 'Mayla'
Very fragrant, fuchsia-pink blooms, free-flowering, best suited for large water gardens. - 'Moorei'
showy yellow blooms, fairly free-flowering, small, medium or large water gardens. - 'Mount Shasta'
Large showy white flowers, free-flowering, medium to large water gardens. - N. Alba
Whiteflower, large leaves, native to Africa, Asia, Europe - 'Newton'
pink blooms which are very free-flowering. New flowers held above the waterline. Use in medium or large water gardens. - N. leibergii
Dwarf waterlily is white petals and yellow stamens . Native to northern North America - N. mexicana
Yellow flowers, native to native to the Southern United States and Mexico - N. odorata
American white waterlily, one of the most common white lilies.. large, very fragrant blooms and needs a large water garden - 'Peachglow'
pale peach blooms held above the waterline. It is free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large water gardens - 'Perry's Baby Red'
Red blooms, very free-flowering, mild fragrances, container or small water garden - 'Perry's Fire Opal'
Large fuchsia pink blooms that are free flowering. Suitable for a tub or small water garden - 'Perry's Red Wonder'
Red free-flowering, can take some shade, has a slight fragrance, tub or small to medium water garden - 'Pink Opal'
Large pink flowers, moderately free-flowering, tubs and small water gardens - 'Pink Sensation'
Considered one of the best pink flowers, held above the water, stays open longer, any size water garden. - 'Pygmaea Helvola'
One of the smallest yellow water lilies, free- flowering, long bloom season, best used in containers or small water gardens - 'Queen of Whites'
White blooms, excellent bloomer through mid summer, then less in late summer. Use in medium or large water gardens. - 'Radiant Red'
Free-flowering , red blooms and yellow stamens, can tolerate some shade. Works well in any size water garden. - 'Ray Davies'
Moderately free-flowering water lily with pink and yellow blooms. Use in medium to large water gardens. - 'Rose Arey'
Rich pink blooms, fairly free-flowering, blooms early, part shade tolerant, medium to large water gardens - 'Rosennymphe'
Soft pink fragrant blooms, green and maroon leaves, blooms freely and is used in medium to large water gardens. - 'Rosy Morn'
Large pink blooms, very free-flowering, tolerates some shade and is suitable for medium to large water gardens. - 'Sioux'
Flower changes from yellow to apricot, held above the water, stays open later, free-flowering, medium or large sites - 'Sirius'
Purple-red water lily that flowers freely and tolerates some shade. Use in medium or large water gardens. - 'Splendida'
Reddish-pink, blooms profusely. Fragrance gets stronger on the second day, medium to large water gardens. - 'Starbright'
Fragrant white to peach blooms that are held above the water. Suitable for medium to large water gardens. - 'Sultan'
Pink to red blooms. It flowers freely and does better than most red lilies in heat and humidity. - 'Texas Dawn'
Bright yellow flowers, held above the water, lemony scent, blooms into fall, any size water garden - 'Virginalis'
White blooms, free-flowering, relaible, adaptable, tubs to any water garden - 'Virginia'
White bloom with yellow center petals, free-flowering, medium to large water gardens - 'Wanvisa'
Peach-pink blooms with yellow speckled petals, 2010 best new water lily of the year, medium to large water gardens.
- 'Arc-en-ciel'
- 'Arc-en-ciel', 'Attraction', 'Carnea', 'Charlene Strawn', 'Charles de 'Meurville', 'Chromatella', 'Colorado', 'Colossea', 'Comanche', 'Conqueror', 'Cynthia Ann', 'Darwin', 'Ellisiana', 'Firecrest', 'Froebeli', 'Georgia Peach', 'Gladstoniana', 'Gloriosa', 'Helvola', 'Innerlight', 'James Brydon', 'Joanne Pring', 'Joey Tomocick', 'Lemon Chiffon', 'Lily Pons', 'Louise', 'Luciana', 'Lucida', 'Mayla', 'Moorei', 'Mount Shasta', N. Alba, 'Newton', N. leibergii, N. mexicana, N. odorata, 'Peachglow', 'Perry's Baby Red', 'Perry's Fire Opal', 'Perry's Red Wonder', 'Pink Opal', 'Pink Sensation', 'Pygmaea Helvola', 'Queen of Whites', 'Radiant Red', 'Ray Davies', 'Rose Arey', 'Rosennymphe', 'Rosy Morn', 'Sioux', 'Sirius', 'Splendida', 'Starbright', 'Sultan', 'Texas Dawn', 'Virginalis', 'Virginia', 'Wanvisa'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Arc-en-ciel'
White flowers, variegated leaves, 4-5 feet - 'Attraction'
Good red flower for the south, 4 feet spread, slightly fragrant, tolerates some shade - 'Carnea'
White to pale pink blooms, very free-flowering over a long season, small, medium or large water gardens. - 'Charlene Strawn'
Delicate light yellow flowers, 2-4 feet wide, holds flowers above the water - 'Charles de 'Meurville'
Large red-pink blooms with bright orange stamens from June to September. 2-4 feet - 'Chromatella'
Yellow blooms, free-flowering, long season, use in in tubs or any size water garden. - 'Colorado'
Salmon colored flowers held above the water. Adaptable to containers or small to medium ponds. Long bloom season - 'Colossea'
hardy waterlily with pink to white flowers from early to late summer. Suitable for large and deeper ponds. Vigorous - 'Comanche'
Flowers change colors as it matures from orange to yellow, fragrant, long bloom season - 'Conqueror'
Red and white flowers, long bloom season, 3-5 feet wide - 'Cynthia Ann'
Blooms prolifically with peach flowers on a long stem. The flowers are smaller at 4-5 inches and it is ideal for small pool - 'Darwin'
Free-flowering, large, soft pink double flowers, medium to large gardens, long bloom time - 'Ellisiana'
Red free-flowering, prefers cooler weather summers, use in a tub or small water garden - 'Firecrest'
Hot pink flowers, moderate free-flowering, any size pond or large container - 'Froebeli'
Red flowers and suitable for containers and small water gardens - 'Georgia Peach'
Free flowering, peach flowers held above the water, adaptable, medium to large water gardens. - 'Gladstoniana'
Large double white flowers. Award of Garden Merit. Large water gardens - 'Gloriosa'
Red flower, free flowering over long season, adaptable to large container or any size pond - 'Helvola'
Also called Yellow Pygmy. Yellow blooms are free-flowering, works in a small water garden or container. Tolerates some shade - 'Innerlight'
Yellow to apricot blooms, held above the water, free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large sites - 'James Brydon'
Rose pink blooms, free-flowering, Use in a tub or small, medium or large water garden, tolerates some shade - 'Joanne Pring'
Miniature pink waterlily that flowers very freely and is suitable for small water gardens and containers or tubs. - 'Joey Tomocick'
Good yellow color, free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large water gardens. - 'Lemon Chiffon'
Double yellow blooms and mottled pads. Use for small to medium water gardens. - 'Lily Pons'
Showy peony-shaped pink blooms. It is not a heavy bloomer, needs a large water garden - 'Louise'
Red flower with lighter outer leaves, held just above the water, medium to large ponds. - 'Luciana'
Free-flowering pink blooms, adaptable, any size water garden or tub. - 'Lucida'
red to pink flowers which are very free-flowering. Tolerates partial shade and can be used in any size water garden. - 'Mayla'
Very fragrant, fuchsia-pink blooms, free-flowering, best suited for large water gardens. - 'Moorei'
showy yellow blooms, fairly free-flowering, small, medium or large water gardens. - 'Mount Shasta'
Large showy white flowers, free-flowering, medium to large water gardens. - N. Alba
Whiteflower, large leaves, native to Africa, Asia, Europe - 'Newton'
pink blooms which are very free-flowering. New flowers held above the waterline. Use in medium or large water gardens. - N. leibergii
Dwarf waterlily is white petals and yellow stamens . Native to northern North America - N. mexicana
Yellow flowers, native to native to the Southern United States and Mexico - N. odorata
American white waterlily, one of the most common white lilies.. large, very fragrant blooms and needs a large water garden - 'Peachglow'
pale peach blooms held above the waterline. It is free-flowering, long bloom season, medium to large water gardens - 'Perry's Baby Red'
Red blooms, very free-flowering, mild fragrances, container or small water garden - 'Perry's Fire Opal'
Large fuchsia pink blooms that are free flowering. Suitable for a tub or small water garden - 'Perry's Red Wonder'
Red free-flowering, can take some shade, has a slight fragrance, tub or small to medium water garden - 'Pink Opal'
Large pink flowers, moderately free-flowering, tubs and small water gardens - 'Pink Sensation'
Considered one of the best pink flowers, held above the water, stays open longer, any size water garden. - 'Pygmaea Helvola'
One of the smallest yellow water lilies, free- flowering, long bloom season, best used in containers or small water gardens - 'Queen of Whites'
White blooms, excellent bloomer through mid summer, then less in late summer. Use in medium or large water gardens. - 'Radiant Red'
Free-flowering , red blooms and yellow stamens, can tolerate some shade. Works well in any size water garden. - 'Ray Davies'
Moderately free-flowering water lily with pink and yellow blooms. Use in medium to large water gardens. - 'Rose Arey'
Rich pink blooms, fairly free-flowering, blooms early, part shade tolerant, medium to large water gardens - 'Rosennymphe'
Soft pink fragrant blooms, green and maroon leaves, blooms freely and is used in medium to large water gardens. - 'Rosy Morn'
Large pink blooms, very free-flowering, tolerates some shade and is suitable for medium to large water gardens. - 'Sioux'
Flower changes from yellow to apricot, held above the water, stays open later, free-flowering, medium or large sites - 'Sirius'
Purple-red water lily that flowers freely and tolerates some shade. Use in medium or large water gardens. - 'Splendida'
Reddish-pink, blooms profusely. Fragrance gets stronger on the second day, medium to large water gardens. - 'Starbright'
Fragrant white to peach blooms that are held above the water. Suitable for medium to large water gardens. - 'Sultan'
Pink to red blooms. It flowers freely and does better than most red lilies in heat and humidity. - 'Texas Dawn'
Bright yellow flowers, held above the water, lemony scent, blooms into fall, any size water garden - 'Virginalis'
White blooms, free-flowering, relaible, adaptable, tubs to any water garden - 'Virginia'
White bloom with yellow center petals, free-flowering, medium to large water gardens - 'Wanvisa'
Peach-pink blooms with yellow speckled petals, 2010 best new water lily of the year, medium to large water gardens.
- 'Arc-en-ciel'
- 'Arc-en-ciel', 'Attraction', 'Carnea', 'Charlene Strawn', 'Charles de 'Meurville', 'Chromatella', 'Colorado', 'Colossea', 'Comanche', 'Conqueror', 'Cynthia Ann', 'Darwin', 'Ellisiana', 'Firecrest', 'Froebeli', 'Georgia Peach', 'Gladstoniana', 'Gloriosa', 'Helvola', 'Innerlight', 'James Brydon', 'Joanne Pring', 'Joey Tomocick', 'Lemon Chiffon', 'Lily Pons', 'Louise', 'Luciana', 'Lucida', 'Mayla', 'Moorei', 'Mount Shasta', N. Alba, 'Newton', N. leibergii, N. mexicana, N. odorata, 'Peachglow', 'Perry's Baby Red', 'Perry's Fire Opal', 'Perry's Red Wonder', 'Pink Opal', 'Pink Sensation', 'Pygmaea Helvola', 'Queen of Whites', 'Radiant Red', 'Ray Davies', 'Rose Arey', 'Rosennymphe', 'Rosy Morn', 'Sioux', 'Sirius', 'Splendida', 'Starbright', 'Sultan', 'Texas Dawn', 'Virginalis', 'Virginia', 'Wanvisa'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nymphaea
- Family:
- Nymphaeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Native to many countries
- Wildlife Value:
- Lily pads provide a landing place for thirsty bees and provide protection for fish. The shading helps prevent algae growth.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule starts out green and dries to brown when the three chambers split open to release seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flower size varies per cultivar. Colors range from white to pink to peachy to purple. Cup-shaped with yellow stamens. Many are fragrant, double and can be up to 8 inches wide.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The round leaves are green to mottled and up to 8 inches wide. Entire to wavy margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green floating stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Frogs
- Reptiles
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
