Nymphaea ‘René Gérard’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘René Gérard’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting bronze rounded leaves, up to 12 in. wide (30 cm), when young. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large rosy-red flowers. Each star-shaped blossom, up to 9 in. across (22 cm), features several rows of pointed petals surrounding a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens. The outer petals are paler and strongly-flecked. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon. Blooming from early summer to early fall, René Gérard is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for medium to large ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). 
• Depth of water: 12-30 in. (30-75 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.