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Mark A. Miller
Nymphaeaceae
NYMPHAEA 'Virginalis'
Hardy Waterlily, Virgin Waterlily
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
The hardy waterlily ‘Virginalis’ is a very free-flowering cultivar with cup-shaped white flowers held above the water surface. Its petals are lovely white surrounding a center of yellow stamens. The flowers are lightly fragrant in only the newest blossoms. This 1910 hybrid has round, green floating leaves that emerge purpled or bronzed. They are supported by flexible green or light brown stems that arise from a thick rhizome growing hortizontally in mucky soil below.
Waterlilies require full to partial sun and sites with calm, shallow, warm freshwater. Hardy cultivars, like ‘Virginalis’, require winter dormancy to successfully bloom and grow. Plant the rhizome directly in heavy, mucky soil or in a large submerged container filled with dense loam or clay-rich garden soil (not light potting mix). If growing waterlilies in climates with very cold winters, ensure that solid ice never reaches the submerged rhizome. In these cases plants may be better off grown in submerged watertight pots that can be pulled out and placed in a cool, dark basement to overwinter.
This is regarded as the most reliable and dependable white hardy waterlily for any freshwater pool. It is a heavy feeder but readily produces flowers. For an elegant flower arrangement, cut waterlily blooms and float them in an attractive bowl filled with water.
12 - 1
4 - 9
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Aquatics
Full Sun, Partial Sun
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Indeterminate
World/Pandemic
Neutral
Poorly Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Wet Site
Fast
Ample Water
Summer, Fall
Showy
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Magenta, Fuchsia, Coral, Peach, Blue Violet, Ivory
Green, Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Glossy
Water Gardens
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