Nymphaea ‘Aurora’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Aurora’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting oval green leaves, up to 6 in. wide (15 cm), blotched purple or maroon. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the cup-shaped to star-shaped flowers. Each blossom, up to 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), changes color with age: opening creamy-yellow, they deepen to apricot-orange to deep burgundy-red. The ravishing flowers feature several rows of petals (24-25) surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of glowing golden-orange stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing late in the day. Blooming from early summer to early fall, this hardy nymphaea is good for tubs or small ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm).
• Depth of water: 12-24 in. (30-60 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.