Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting round, brownish leaves when young, up to 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm), maturing to deep green. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large cup- to star-shaped flowers. Each fragrant blossom, up to 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), features bright cherry-red inner petals and outer petals tipped in white. They surround a conspicuous bouquet of glowing orange stamens. Staying open longer than most other water lilies, each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Escarboucle is very free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for medium to large ponds.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 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.