Water Lilies

'Aurora'
Nymphaea

This free-flowering water lily bears slightly scented flowers that start off cup-shaped and are later star-shaped. They are day-blooming, semi-double flowers measuring 5cm (2") across. It has the widest colour range in a flower of any changeable cultivar.
Starting off as cream buds, they open to yellow, pass through orange before changing to a slightly flecked blood-red with glowing golden-orange stamens. The leaves are an olive green and have small red -purple blotches, they measure 15-16cm (6-6.5") across
Spread 75cm (30")
Planting depth 30-45cm (12-18")
Hardy

'Candida'
Nymphaea

White cup-shaped flowers are held above the water and measure 8cm (3") across, so this is an ideal lily for small ponds or half barrel water tubs.

The petals are white and the sepals tinged with green. Light green leaves compliment the flowers well, they are rounded and 15cm (6") across.
Spread 30-60cm (1-2ft)
Planting depth 15-30cm (6-12")
Hardy

'Ellisiana'
Nymphaea

The star-shaped flowers of this lily develop in colour from pinkish-mauve to red, the flowers are further enhanced by the yellow stamens emerging from the purplish bases of the petals. The flowers are 9cm (3.5") across and the centre petals are upright with the sepals remaining flat.
The young leaves are dark green and have purplish blotches, they mature to almost round and reach 18-20cm (7-8") across.


This species is an ideal cultivar to use in small troughs and tubs and is particularly suited to cooler regions. If the weather becomes too hot it will tend to stop flowering.
Spread 30-60cm (1-2ft)
Planting depth 15-23cm (6-9")
Hardy

'Escarboucle'
Nymphaea

This lily has bright vermillion red flowers, that have the outer petals tipped with white and are contrasted with deep orange stamens. They start off cup-shaped and develop into star-shaped blooms that measure 15-17cm (6-7") across.
The young leaves start off brown-tinged, maturing to round green leaves measuring 25-27cm (10-11") across.


One of the best red waterlilies that are hardy and suitable for medium-sized ponds. The flowers stay open later in the afternoon than most other hardy reds.
Spread 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
Planting depth 30-60cm (1-2ft)
Hardy

'Firecrest'
Nymphaea

This lily has star-shaped flowers which are held slightly above the water, they are lavender-pink with orange inner stamens and pink outer ones. The flowers measure 15cm (6") across. The leaves are dark purple when new and mature to round green leaves 23cm (9") across.


It needs to be planted in a container 60cm (2ft) across and 30cm (1ft) deep in order that the rhizomes can develop.
Spread 1.2m (4ft)
Planting depth 30-45cm (12-18")
Hardy

'Froebelli'
Nymphaea

Flowers that are initially cup-shaped, become star-shaped as they mature. They are deep burgundy red with orange-red stamens and measure 10-12cm (4-5") across. Young leaves are bronze and mature to round and pale-green 15cm (6") across.


This is a good cultivar for cooler climates and is small enough for barrels and small ponds.
Spread 90cm (3ft)
Planting depth 15-30cm (6-12")
Hardy