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Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra' (H)

waterlily 'Pygmaea Rubra'

'Pygmaea Rubra' ia a miniature water-lily with small rounded, purple-blotched leaves and slightly fragrant, cupped flowers that open deep rose-pink, darkening with age to deep red

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Size
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer Red Pink Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical 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

Accepted

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 8-10cm of water; when the plants establish lower the plants to twice the initial planting depth. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate

Propagation

Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly

Pests

Susceptible to water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge

Diseases

May be affected by crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot

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