Nymphaea Denver (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Denver’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded green leaves with a red tint at the edges. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the ivory white, peony shaped flowers. Each luminous blossom, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), features several rows of pointed petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of golden stamens. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Denver blooms reliably and produces many flowers over a long season. Use in medium ponds. Denver is a hardy nymphaea.

Nymphaea 'Denver' (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded green leaves with a red tint at the edges. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the ivory white, peony shaped flowers. Each luminous blossom, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), features several rows of pointed petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of golden stamens. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Denver blooms reliably and produces many flowers over a long season. Use in medium ponds. Denver is a hardy nymphaea.

  • Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 2-6 ft. wide (60-180 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 2'
– 6'
(60cm
– 180cm)
Spacing 24″
– 72″
(60cm
– 180cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens