Nymphaea Almost Black (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Almost Black’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting bronze flushed rounded leaves turning a rich green color as they mature. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the striking dark red, almost black, peony shaped flowers. Each  slightly fragrant blossom, up to 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), features several rows of cherry-soda red petals (38-40) surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens.

Nymphaea 'Almost Black' (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting bronze flushed rounded leaves turning a rich green color as they mature. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the striking dark red, almost black, peony shaped flowers. Each  slightly fragrant blossom, up to 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), features several rows of cherry-soda red petals (38-40) surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing at night. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Almost Black is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for medium to large ponds.

  • Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 6-12 ft. wide (180-360 cm).
  • Depth of water: 6-48 in. (15-120 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in loamy soil in undisturbed water. Plant in a basket with the crown just below the soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertilizer.
  • Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly.
  • Keep an eye out for water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot.
  • Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 11

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Aquatic Plants
Plant Family Nymphaea – Water Lilies
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 2"
– 4"
(5cm
– 10cm)
Spread 6'
– 12'
(180cm
– 3.6m)
Spacing 72″
– 144″
(180cm
– 360cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens