Nymphaea Atropurpurea (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea 'Atropurpurea' (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting ovate leaves, up to 10 in, wide (25cm), deep purple when young, aging to dark green. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large bowl-shaped to star-shaped flowers. Each blossom, up to 7-8 in. across (17-20 cm), features deep red petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of yellow-orange stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Atropurpurea is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. it is a good bloomer except in Zones 8-10, where its blossoms tend to wilt with heat. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for medium to large ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Depth of water: 6-36 in. (15-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in loamy soil in undisturbed water. Protect from hot midday sun. 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.