Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Albida’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Noted for its large and very profuse blooms, Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Albida’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting oval green leaves, up to 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm), flushed bronze when young. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the fragrant, double white flowers. Each fragrant blossom, up to 5 in. across (12 cm), features several rows of rounded petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Marliacea Albida is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. Introduced in 1880 by Latour-Marliac, Marliacea Albida is a hardy nymphaea that is suitable for growing in medium- to large-sized ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). Marliacea Albida is a large water lily and therefore needs plenty of room.
• Depth of water: 16-40 in. (400-100 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, and place pots in shallow water until established.