Nymphaea ‘Conqueror’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Conqueror’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting slightly bronze rounded leaves, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), when young. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large cup- to star-shaped flowers. Each slightly fragrant blossom, up to 7-8 in. across (17-20 cm), features deep red inner petals and almost white outer petals that turn pink as the flower ages. They surround a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Conqueror 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 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). 
• Depth of water: 6-24 in. (15-60 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.