Nymphaea 'Virginalis' (H)
A hardy, compact, free-flowering, deciduous, aquatic perennial which has small rounded dark-green leaves which are purple-bronze when they first appear. White, fragrant cup-shaped flowers with yellow centres appear from June through to September
Size
Time to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Bronze | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Nymphaeaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Submerged, Floating
- Genus
Nymphaea are rhizomatous, submerged aquatic perennials with floating, rounded leaves and showy, sometimes fragrant, cup- or bowl-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours, held on or above the water and followed by submerged, berry-like fruits
- Name status
Unresolved
- Horticultural Group
- Hardy Nymphaea are aquatic perennials with rounded floating leaves and showy flowers on or just above the water, with numerous narrow petals and conspicuous stamens, in white and shades of yellow, pink and red
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position basket so that it is covered by 15-25cm of water; as the plants establish gradually lower the plants to a depth of 50-60cm. See hardy waterlily cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established. See pond plant propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly
Pests
May be susceptible to brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, water lily beetle and water lily aphid. See waterlily pests for more details
Diseases
May be susceptible to crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot
Get involved
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