Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Carnea’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Carnea’ (Water Lily) is a vigorous, day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded bronze leaves, up to 8 in. wide (20 cm), when young. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the flesh-pink flowers. Each cup-shaped blossom, up to 4-5 in. across (10-12 cm), features several rows of pointed petals (20) 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, Marliacea Carnea is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. Introduced in 1887 by Latour-Marliac, this hardy nymphaea is suitable for small, medium or large ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm). Marliacea Carnea is a large water lily and therefore needs plenty of room.
• Depth of water: 18-36 in. (45-90 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.