Nuphar variegata
variegated yellow pond-lily
Overview
Nuphar variegata is an aquatic perennial of northern North America, rooted in the muddy bottom of ponds, lakes, and slow streams by a stout, creeping rhizome. Heart-shaped to oval floating leaves 4-12 in (10-30 cm) long rise on long, flexible stalks to lie on the water surface, with some submerged leaves below. From late spring through summer it lifts cup-shaped yellow flowers 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) across just above the water; the flower is formed mainly of six thick yellow sepals, sometimes tinged red, surrounding small inner petals and a disk-like stigma. The flattened, often reddish leaf stalk helps separate it from related pond-lilies. It grows in still or slow water 1-6 ft (0.3-1.8 m) deep. The creeping rhizomes can spread to cover large areas of a small pond and are hard to remove once established. A bottle-shaped green fruit ripens at the water surface. Waterfowl and muskrats eat the seeds and rhizomes.
Native Range
Native to northern North America, from Alaska and across Canada south through the northern United States, including the Great Lakes and New England. It grows in ponds, lake margins, bogs, and slow-moving streams and rivers.Suggested Uses
Grown in natural ponds, large water gardens, and wildlife pools for its floating pads and yellow flowers. It is planted in submerged baskets or directly in pond mud in water 1-4 ft (0.3-1.2 m) deep. The pads shade the water and the plant shelters fish and feeds waterfowl.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 6"
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Yellow cup-shaped flowers open from late spring through summer, roughly June to August, each held just above the water surface. Individual flowers last several days and open in succession over the season. Green bottle-shaped fruits develop as flowering continues.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Nuphar variegata grows in full sun to part shade rooted in mucky pond or lake bottoms in still or slow water 1-6 ft (0.3-1.8 m) deep. It needs a rich, mucky substrate and stable water levels, tolerating tea-colored, acidic water at a pH of 5.5-7.0. In gardens it is grown in submerged containers of heavy soil topped with gravel and sunk in a pond. The rhizome spreads steadily and may need dividing or thinning to control its area. It dies back to the rhizome in winter and regrows in spring. Aphids and leaf-spot fungi can affect the floating pads.Pruning
Remove yellowing or torn floating leaves through the season to keep the water surface open. Lift and divide the rhizome in spring if it outgrows its space. Cut back spent foliage as it dies down in autumn.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons