Nymphaea ‘Charles de Meurville’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Charles de Meurville’ (Water Lily) is a vigorous, day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting dark green leaves up to 10 in. wide (25 cm). Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the star-shaped flowers. Each  blossom, up to 8 in. across (20 cm), features deep rose-red inner petals and pale pink outer petals. They surround a conspicuous bouquet of bright orange stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Charles de Meurville 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 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). 
• Depth of water: 24-48 in. (60-120 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.