Nymphaea Arc En Ciel (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Arc En Ciel’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting a unique foliage of incredibly variegated red, brown, pink, cream and green leaves. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped, white flowers with a hint of pink. Each fragrant blossom, up to 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), features 18-24 long and narrow petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of golden stamens.

Nymphaea 'Arc En Ciel' (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting a unique foliage of incredibly variegated red, brown, pink, cream and green leaves. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped, white flowers with a hint of pink. Each fragrant blossom, up to 5-6 in. across (12-15 cm), features 18-24 long and narrow petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of golden stamens. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Arc En Ciel blooms reliably and produces many flowers over a long season. Use in medium to large ponds. Arc En Ciel is a hardy nymphaea.

  • Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm).
  • Depth of water: 6-24 in. (15-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade 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, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 2"
– 4"
(5cm
– 10cm)
Spread 4'
– 5'
(120cm
– 150cm)
Spacing 48″
– 60″
(120cm
– 150cm)
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