Nymphaea ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnere’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnere’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded green leaves, 5-6 in. wide (12-15 cm). Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the beautiful, almost double, light pink flowers. Each cup-shaped blossom, 4 in. across (10 cm), features several rows of pointed petals (33) surrounding 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, Madame Wilfron Gonnere is a hardy nymphaea that is nicely suited for ponds and lakes.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 5-8 ft. wide (150-240 cm).
• Depth of water: 6-24 in. (15-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in loamy soil in undisturbed water. Very adaptable, this nymphaea can tolerate some shade. 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, and place pots in shallow water until established.