Nymphaea alba
European white waterlily
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Nymphaea alba is an aquatic perennial that grows from a stout rhizome anchored in the mud of still or slow-moving fresh water. Round to oval floating leaves 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) across rise on long flexible stalks from the rhizome to lie flat on the surface, each leaf deeply cleft at the base where the stalk joins, dark green above and reddish beneath. From June to September it produces floating, cup-shaped white flowers 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across, each with 20-25 broad petals around a centre of yellow stamens, opening by day and closing toward evening over 3-4 days. The flowers carry a faint sweet scent. After flowering the spent bloom is drawn underwater, where a spongy berry-like fruit ripens and releases seeds. Leaves and flowers sit at the surface while stems and rhizome stay submerged, suiting water 1.5-8 feet (0.5-2.5 m) deep. Plants spread by thickening rhizomes to cover large areas of open water. Dense leaf cover shades the water beneath and can crowd out other aquatics.
Native Range
Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, in lakes, ponds, slow rivers, canals, and ditches with still or gently moving fresh water. It roots in mud in water from about 1.5 to 8 feet (0.5-2.5 m) deep, at low to moderate elevations.Suggested Uses
Grown in large ponds, lakes, and water gardens for surface cover and summer flowers, planted in baskets or bottom mud at one plant per 30-60 square feet (3-6 sq m) of surface. Its spread and depth needs suit sizeable still-water features rather than small pools or containers. Leaf cover shades the water and shelters fish and pond wildlife.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 3"
Width/Spread4' - 6'
Bloom Information
Flowers from June to September, with peak bloom in midsummer. Each flower opens by day and closes in late afternoon for 3-4 successive days before sinking. A plant produces blooms in succession through the season. Flowering is reduced in deep, shaded, or cool water.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Grows in full sun in still or slow-moving fresh water 1.5-8 feet (0.5-2.5 m) deep, rooted in heavy loam or clay at the bottom or in submerged planting baskets. It needs at least 5-6 hours of direct sun for free flowering and grows poorly in shade or turbulent water. Plants are set out in late spring and lifted and divided every 3-4 years when leaves crowd and push above the surface. Aquatic aphids and waterlily beetle can chew the leaves in summer. Rhizomes spread widely, so large or contained sites suit it better than small pools. Foliage dies back in autumn and regrows from the rhizome in spring.Pruning
Remove yellowing leaves and spent flower stalks through the season to keep the water surface clear and limit decaying matter. Lift and divide congested rhizomes in late spring every few years. Cut back remaining foliage as it dies down in autumn.Pruning Schedule
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Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons