Nymphaea caerulea (Egyptian Blue Water Lily)

Nymphaea caerulea (Egyptian Blue Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded green leaves, up to 16 in. (40 cm), with a notch at the leaf stem. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped flowers, 4-6 in. across (10-15 cm). Each blossom features upright, pointed, light blue petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of golden stamens. Blooming all summer, the Egyptian Blue Water Lily is a tropical nymphaea. Once abundant in the Nile Delta, Egyptian Blue Water Lily is now endangered. It was regarded with great veneration by the Egyptians of the earliest historical record and has been used for a variety of purposes, including stimulant, aphrodisiac, sexual enhancer, and remedy against general illness.

• Grows up to 8-12 in. tall (20-30 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm). This nymphaea is a large water lily and therefore needs plenty of room.
• Performs best in full sun in undisturbed water in neutral to slightly acidic soil. Appreciates some part shade in hot summer areas where daytime temperatures reach 100ºF (35ºC). Needs protection from wind.
• Plant tubers in spring, preferably in a small container, after the water temperature has warmed to about 70ºF (21ºC). Position the basket so that it is covered by 9-16 in. (22-40 cm) of water. Feed every 2-3 weeks with a proprietary aquatic fertilizer.
• Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly.
• No serious pest or disease issues. 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.
• Native to northern and Central Africa.