Nymphaea ‘Masaniello’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Masaniello’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting rounded, waxy, bright green leaves, up to 10 in. wide (25 cm). Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large, strawberry pink, cup-shaped flowers. Each fragrant blossom, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), features up to 25 pointed petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of orange-yellow stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Masaniello is vigorous and produces many flowers over a long season. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for any pond.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
• Depth of water: 8-24 in. (20-60 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.