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 |
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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 |