Mark A. Miller
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Botanical Name
Nymphaea
Plant Common Name
Waterlily
General Description
This genus of water-loving plants encompasses approximately 50 species, which are distributed in temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Waterlilies have been cultivated for thousands of years and there are hundreds of cultivated varieties available.
All species of Nymphaea have floating, rounded to oval leaves with a cleft at the base. These are supported by long, flexible stems that are submerged. Throughout the growing season large, colorful, multi-petaled flowers with numerous anthers are produced at or above the surface of the water. Their rhizomatous roots anchor the plants along mucky pond or lake shallows.
Waterlilies are generally divided into two categories, hardy and tropical. Hardy waterlilies are deciduous, bloom in the daytime, their flowers float on the water, or slightly above, and they come in shades of white, yellow, pink and red. Tropical species or cultivars are evergreen, may be day or night-blooming, have flowers that extend above the water and come in a wider array of bright shades to include vibrant violet-blue. Some selections also have fragrant blooms.
All Nymphaea require calm, shallow, freshwater for growth. Hardy species must be subjected to a period of dormancy if grown in southern climates with mild winters. Full to partial sun is a necessity.
Waterlilies provide an excellent splash of color in ponds or water gardens. Hardiness is species or cultivar dependent.
Characteristics
-
Plant Type
Aquatics
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
-
Native To
World/Pandemic
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Wet Site
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Ample Water
-
Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Pink, Magenta, Fuchsia, Coral, Peach, Blue Violet, Ivory
-
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Coarse
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Water Gardens
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
