Nymphaea is hardy hybrids aquatic plant in the family Nymphaeaceae. Water lilies are, of course, the classic plants for pools. The great, many-petalled stars, each with a center of stamens like a sea anemone that has taken to freshwater are one of the marvels of the aquatic garden.
Monet’s studies of water lilies, painted by the pool in his garden at Giverney, were largely inspired by the genius of his compatriot and contemporary J. B. Latour-Marhiac, who, in the last quarter of the 19th century, produced a brilliantly colored range of hardy water lilies bred to succeed at all reasonable water depths.
The first water lilies flower in June, and in the rich conditions will continue to bloom throughout the summer. It is, therefore, vital to choose those that will be happy in the size of pool you can provide.
Leaves should be able to spread out with no overlapping and with plenty of water all around; they cannot achieve their full beauty without it. For example, the huge white hybrid ‘Gladstoniana’, often recommended, needs a couple of feet in depth and at least 10 ft on each side to spread.
For a small, formal garden pool of, say, 10 ft x 8 ft, you might do well to choose the medium-sized water lily Nymphaea x ‘James Brydon’. Most water lilies close up on sunless days, but this one makes a little more effort and can even on occasion take light shade.
It has rounded flowers of clear crimson that would be set off splendidly by the creaminess of Cape pond-weed (Aponogeton distachyos). Then, for vertical emphasis emerging from the water, add the sword-shaped leaves of variegated sweet flag (Acorus calamus).
Not everyone has the space or the inclination to build and maintain an ornamental pool, yet almost all gardeners have, at one time or another, experienced the odd yearning for an aquatic garden.
The answer is to create a tiny pool by filling a tub or half a beer barrel with water, One need not be without a water lily in such a miniature garden, for there is a hybrid ideal for the purpose. This is N. x Helvola’, a plant with attractively red-blotched leaves only 2:4 in wide and thriving in only 6 in of water.
The container should be placed, in full sun, where it can frequently be visited and the succession of flowers appreciated. Each is pale yellow and about the size of a 50p piece. Even in the Ancient Egyptian culture, they used the water lilies of the Nile as the cultural symbols bloom in the morning and close in the evening.
The crimson color of water lily makes an attractive centerpiece for the small garden pool in late July by James Brydon. The lily’s brilliant blooms are a splendid fol for the soft cream-colored flowers of Cape pond-weed. The flat, floating leaves of both plants need vertical contrast so, the plant sweer flag with its variegated, sword-shaped leaves.
How to Grow Nymphaea?
Water lilies are magnificent to decorate your pond, also provide handy shade that supports in stopping the growth of algae in lakes or ponds. Nymphaea: this majestic plant during April in water 6 in, to 3 ft deep, either directly into rich soil at the bottom of the pool or in 12 in square containers enclosing an 8 in, depth of good hummus, which should be saturated before planting.
Propagate by division or by detaching offsets in April. Moreover, the beautiful water lilies are also helped in ritual narcotics.
