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. 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.