Nymphaea ‘Laydekeri Fulgens’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Laydekeri Fulgens’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded leaves, blotched with purple when young, maturing to plain green. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the cup-shaped, brilliant crimson magenta flowers. Each semi-double blossom, up to 6 in. across (15 cm), features burgundy-red petals, the color of which intensifies as the bloom matures. They surround a conspicuous bouquet of garnet rose stamens. Blooming over a long season extending from spring to fall, Laydekeri Fulgens is free-flowering and its flowers stay open later in the day. This hardy nymphaea is suitable for any size pond.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 6-12 ft. wide (180-360 cm). 
• Depth of water: 6-30 in. (15-90 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.