Nymphaea Ellisiana (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea 'Ellisiana' (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting oval green leaves, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), blotched with purple when young. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped, bright red flowers. Each fragrant blossom, up to 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), features several rows of brilliant red petals (21-22) surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of glowing golden-orange stamens. Very free-flowering, Ellisiana is an excellent bloomer. It performs best in cooler weather and may stop blooming in very hot weather. Blooming from early summer to early fall, this hardy nymphaea is good for small to medium ponds or container gardens.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm).
• Depth of water: 12-18 in. (30-45 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.