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Small varieties for shallower water, such as in small ponds or tubs.
Nymphaea ‘Helvola’ is the smallest known hybrid. This light yellow water lily is one of the most floriferous plant available for smallest ponds and tubs. An example for a tub plant is given in the lower photo. Often larger plants are offered under this name. The flowers of the original ‘Helvola’ are only 5-6 cm in diameter. The leaves have beautiful wine-red marbles on a dark green background. ‘Helvola’ loves full sun and a water depth of 10-40 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Maurice Laydeker’ is a pink-red free-flowering compact grower of very small size. It is hard to find the real ‘Maurice Laydeker’, as mostly larger and stronger growers are sold under this name. We recommend to plant this wonderful and rare hybrid in 20-40 cm depth.
Nymphaea ‘Chrysantha’ is a very old dwarf water lily, which is suitable for warm, sun-exposed shallow places in small ponds and tubs. The flowers have a yellowish-white basal color (depending on the climate), and an orange-copper-reddish center, whose color intensifies from day to day. Leaves are nicely marbled. We recommend to plant this intersting hybrid in 20-40 cm depth.
Nymphaea ‘Walter Pagels’ is a very floriferous almost white dwarf water lily that can be best planted at depths of 20-50 cm. Flowers show a faint rosy hue on the first day that lightens from day to day. They are unusual in having more petals than most other dwarf water lilies. Strong plants carry their flowers above the water surface. This hybrid is very recommendable for tubs and small ponds. It produces its flowers the whole summer until late autumn.
Nymphaea ‘Froebeli’ is one of the most floriferous small water lilies. They have a very characteristic flower shape with their spread sepals under cup-like deep red petals. This plant is excellent for tubs and small ponds, where it likes positions at 20-50 cm depth.
Nymphaea ‘Laydekeri purpurata’ is floriferous from the end of May until August. Flowers are often carried above the water, especially on the first day. They intensify their color during the three-four days of opening. ‘Laydekeri purpurata’ loves full sun and water of 20-50 cm depth.
Nymphaea ‘Little Sue’ is one of the most freely flowering small water lilies. It has a variable, yellowish basal color with reddish-copper tones overlayed more intensely towards the base. Characteristic is its open shape of the flowers that are 8-10 cm in diameter, with quite long and narrow petals and a small yellow center. We recommend this flower for small ponds and a depth of 20-50 cm.
Nymphaea mexicana ist a yellow species from Mexico and the southern US-states. It is attractive for collectors who want to have the “father” of all the yellow hybrids, but is should be planted in containers, as it rapidly spreads by formation of many long stolons that cannot be controlled otherwise. It is somewhat sensitive against frost and therefore should be protected, although it survives mild winters outside. The flowers are usually rather small. It should be planted in warm shallow water (optimum: 20-30 cm)
Nymphaea ‘Perry’s Baby Red’ is very floriferous, strong and small – perfect for small ponds. We recommend this popular American deep-red hybrid for a water depth between 20 and 50 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Caroliniana perfecta’ is one of our favorite hybrids. This beautiful medium-size plant produces elegant flowers of up to 12 cm diameter. It adapts nicely to tubs and small ponds but can also be planted in medium size ponds. We recommend it for depths from 20-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Solfatare’ is a good flowering small plant with somewhat unusual flower shape, as its sepals are curved. The center of the flower is orange, petals are at their base reddish and mix with a yellowish-white at their outer regions. We recommend this hybrid for tubs and small ponds (30-50 cm depth).
Nymphaea ‘Galatée’ is a floriferous and robust small-medium-size hybrid with nicely marbled leaves, especially at the outer regions of the leaves. We recommend ‘Galatée’ for a water depth of 30-50 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Laydekeri fulgens’ is a highly attractive but somewhat sensitive small-medium-size hybrid. It requires good growth conditions with respect to soil and water quality. In summer, its very abundant flowers reach the same intensive color as ‘Escarboucle’, but certainly they remain smaller, reaching diameters of about 10 cm. For this hybrid, we recommend a water depth of 30-50 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Sulphurea’ is a beautiful yellow water lily for sun-exposed shallow positions. Under such conditions, it is very floriferous, but it is not recommendable for colder regions and habitats. The star-shaped flowers have narrow and pointed petals and reach diameters of 12-14 cm. We recommend a water depth of 30-50 cm for this hybrid.
Medium varieties for medium size ponds, such as most garden ponds.
Nymphaea ‘James Brydon’ impresses with its characteristic spherical flowers with a homogeneous, deep pink-red color. It remains medium-sized, with flowers approx. 12-14 cm in diameter, blooms extremely prolifically in full sun and needs water depth of approx. 30-50 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Gloriosa’ is a wonderful, very old red medium-sized variety with flowers of approx. 12 cm in diameter. Unfortunately, almost only other varieties are offered in stores under its name. The true ‘Gloriosa’ has usually five sepals. It has pink-red flowers that intensify to a deep red over the flowering days. It prefers to grow at a water depth of 30-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Adrian’ is a new variety that originates from our nursery. It has large star-shaped flowers that bloom with a slight light pink tint and change to milky white. The sepals fold towards the stem, which characteristically reinforces the star-shaped impression. It adapts very well to different water depths and prefers to grow at 30-60 cm. We introduced this hybrid in 2023.
Nymphaea odorata ‘alba’ corresponds to the American white species in terms of color, size and shape, but does not set seeds here. This medium-size water lily produces pleasant fragrant flowers with a diameter of approx. 12 cm and prefers to grow in water depths of 30-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Inner Light’ is a magnificent water lily with flowers measuring up to 18 cm in size that stand well above the water. The name is derived from the intense yellow center of the color, with the color changing to a pinkish light yellow towards the edge. This water lily is one of the most floriferous water lilies of all, but it is difficult to propagate and therefore often not available. In contrast to other yellow varieties, the undersides of the true ‘Inner Light’ leaves are without red spots. The plant likes a water depth of 30-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Ellisiana’ is a beautiful, very old medium-sized hybrid that changes the color of its approx. 10-12 cm flowers from a pink to a deep red. It grows and propagates well and loves full sun and not too deep water (30-60 cm).
Nymphaea odorata ‘Luciana’ is an old hybrid that later has been renamed ‘Pink Beauty’ by some nurseries. The pink color of the flowers is homogeneous, and flowers usually have a diameter of approx. 12 cm. This hybrid is very floriferous and perfectly suited for small and medium ponds (30-60 cm water depth).
Nymphaea ‘Albatross’ is an elegant hybrid with white flowers of approx. 10-12 cm of diameter. It is very floriferous and perfectly suited for small and medium-size ponds at positions of 30-60 cm water depth.
Nymphaea ‘Colorado’ is a very popular, modern water lily from the US. It flowers with a washed-out pink-orange color in early summer and later develops intensively salmon-pink colored flowers of approx. 12-14 cm in diameter that are held high above the water, reminescent to tropical water lilies. It is extremely floriferous, very good suited for medium-size ponds, and prefers a water depth of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Laydekeri rosea prolifera’ is an old robust hybrid from France, whose color changes from light pink to dark reddish-pink. The leaves are initially marbled and change to an homogeneous green when they become older. The plant is perfect for medium-size ponds (30-60 cm).
Nymphaea ‘Murillo’ is a beautiful, very floriferous medium-size water lily with deep pink center of the flowers, which have a characteristic shape. Flowers are up to 14 cm in size. We recommend this old hybrid for medium-size ponds and a water depth of 30-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Rosennymphe’ is an old hybrid whose flowers are pink on the first day of opening and then change to white. The plants develop many flowers and therefore have white and pink flowers open at the same time. Flowers have a diameter of approx. 12 cm. This medium-size hybrid likey water depths of 30-60 cm and is most likely the best hybrid for partial shade.
Nymphaea ‘Clara Maria’ is one of our own creations. We introduced this hybrid in 2023. Its flower color is light salmon pink on the first day and then brightens further. The cup-shaped flowers are extremely abundant and characteristically have broad petals. This medium-size hybrid loves water depths of 40-70 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Caroliniana nivea‘ has large pure white flowers with a characteristic shape. It is very floriferous, robust and suited for medium-size ponds. It likes a water depth of 40-70 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ is an old wonderful very floriferous hybrid. The classically shaped flowers are about 12 cm in diameter when the plant is growing at 40 cm. It nicely adapts to smaller or larger ponds and should be planted in 30-80 cm water depth.
Nymphaea ‘William Doogue’ is a very old and strong American hybrid with characteristic petals that are among the broadest petals of all water lilies. From near, one can note a light pink of the flowers, especially on the first day. This hybrid is rare. It is a good bloomer and tolerates partial shade. We recommend it for medium or large ponds and a water depth of 30-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Joey Tomocik’ is a very popular younger American hybrid. It has a nice yellow color an is very floriferous. The blooms are held high above the water surface and reach diameters of approx. 15 cm. The leaves are initially reddish marbled on green ground, and change to an homogeneous green. ‘Joey Tomocik’ loves full sun and a water depth of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Wanvisa’ is a hardy hybrid from Thailand (Nopchai Chansilpa, ca. 2009), with large deep pink-bright yellow variegated flowers, which therefore appear intensive orange, especially in their center. The blooms are held high above the water. The variegation can strongly vary and sometimes flowers are produced that have more or less large parts in pure yellow (see lower photo). This hybrid loves full sun and a water depth of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Yellow Wanvisa’ is a new variety that originated from us at Wunstorf. We introduced it in 2023. The flower strongly resembles that of ‘Joey Tomocik’, but the leaves have retained the much more intense marbling and variegation of ‘Wanvisa’. ‘Yellow Wanvisa’ is a stable “Sport”, a mutation of ‘Wanvisa’ that permanently produces entirely yellow flowers that reach diameters of approx. 15 cm and that are held high above the water. It is a strong plant, extremely floriferous, loves full sun and grows best at a water depth of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Gonnère’ is a very old, good blooming hybrid from France. It has characteristic cup-shaped fully double pure white flowers. We recommend it for water depths of 30-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Karl Epple’ is a very nice German medium size hybrid with pink flowers of 10-12 cm in diameter that are held high above the water surface. We recommend this beautiful variety for water depths of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Vesuve’ is an extremely free-flowering old hybrid with intensively colored red blooms of approx. 12 cm in diameter. We recommend it for medium-size ponds and water depths of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Barbara Dobbins’ is a very free-flowering modern hybrid originating from the USA. Its peach-colored large (approx. 15 cm) flowers are raised high above the surface and are more yellowish in early summer and towards autumn they have more and more light pink hues. Sometimes it is vivipar and forms plantlets at the bottom of old flowers. The leaves are initially reddish marbled and then turn green quite quickly. This hybrid is very well suited for medium-size ponds and should be planted at a water depth of 40-60 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Sioux’ is an old hybrid that is extremely free flowering all summer long until autumn. It can nicely adapt to any size pond. Its strong flowers are pale yellow with copper hues that intensify from day to day. They reach diameters of 12 cm (can be larger on older plants). Petals are pointed. We recommend this variety for water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Mangkala Ubol’ is a new hardy water lily from Thailand that is increasingly popular in Europe. The very large beautiful double peach-colored flowers with intensive yellow heart stand with strong peduncles well above the water surface. The large leaves have a beautifully contrasting pattern. We recommend this extremely free-flowering variety for medium and large ponds and water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Mrs. Richmond’ is an old variety with large flowers, reaching 16 cm, and broad petals that have a washed out pink color. It is perfect for medium or large ponds, very robust, and likes water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Colonel A. J. Welch’ requires a lot of full sun to flower frequently, but its large (approx. 14 cm) star-shaped flowers are highly attractive, held high above the water surface, and remain quite long open in the afternoon. Collectors like this variety because of its habit to frequently produce on strong plants new plants at the base of old flowers (viviparous trait). ‘Colonel A. J. Welch’ is a strong grower and likes a water depth of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Hollandia’ impresses with its double flowers that reach diameters of 15-19 cm in large ponds. It is a robust plant and a very good bloomer that should be planted at water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Escarboucle’ likely is the most brilliantly red-colored water lily. This historic variety can become quite large over the years, with leaves of more than 30 cm and flowers of up to 16 cm in diameter. In full sun it is a good bloomer that should be planted in a water depth of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Meteor’ has beautiful large flowers of typical deep pink-red color. It is very floriferous and perfectly suited for medium-size ponds. ‘Meteor’ likes water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Lucida’ is an old and unusual red water lily with characteristic heavily mottled leaves and very pretty flowers of medium size (12-15 cm, depending on growth conditions and age). It likes not too shallow water (40-80 cm), as stems are long. This hybrid is a good bloomer in full sun and good fertilization.
Nymphaea ‘Amabilis’ develops very large flowers (15-19 cm) with characteristically pointed petals. We recommend this old hybrid for large sunny ponds, where it should be planted at water depths of 40-80 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Queen of Whites’ is a very good bloomer and strong plant, perfect for medium or large ponds. Flowers reach diamters of approx. 15 cm. We recommend to plant this hybrid at water depths of 40-80 cm.
Large hybrids for deeper water (large ponds or lakes)
Nymphaea ‘Conqueror’ has flowers with an intense garnet red inside, a more washed red outside, and alomst white sepals, resulting in a nice white-red contrast. They reach diameters of approx. 18 cm in old plants. This historic hybrid is a large and very strong grower that should be planted in a water depth of 40-100 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Marliacea rosea’ is a very old hybrid from the 1880ies that still is popular due to its classic shape and robust growth. Flowers open homogeneously clear pink and lighten slightly thereafter. This plant is recommendable for large ponds, where it can optimally develop its splendor. We recommend to plant it at water depths of 50-100 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Perry’s Double White’ is a beautiful water lily with pure white double flowers that are developed in abundance. It is perfect for larger ponds and grows best at 50-100 cm water depth.
Nymphaea ‘Rose Arey’ has outstanding beautiful star- shaped flowers of deep pink color. This old American hybrid should have sufficient space and therefore we recommend it for larger ponds where it grows best at water depths of 50-100 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Anna Epple’ is a plant with homogeneous pink flowers. This nice German hybrid can adapt perfectly to medium or large ponds. The plants become large and grow best at 50-100 cm water depth.
Nymphaea ‘Ernst Epple Sen.’ is a large hybrid with large double flowers. The petals point to all directions, also downwards, generating a spherical impression. On the first days, the flower is usually held above the water. This variety should be planted in large ponds at water depths of 60-120 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Sirius’ is a good bloomer for deeper ponds. The flowers have a diameter of approx. 16 cm, with a dark red center and lighter outer parts. The leaves are nicely marbled. This beautiful hybrid is rare and should be planted at 60-120 cm water depth.
Nymphaea ‘Atropurpurea’ is a very old and valuable, extremely good bloomer with very large dark red flowers (up to 18 cm in diameter). We recommend this rare hybrid for large ponds and water depths of 60-120 cm.
Nymphaea ‘Gladstoniana’ is an old and very large, strong growing water lily with very abundant white flowers that can reach diameters of more than 16 cm. It is only recommendable for large ponds, where it is very attractive. It should be planted at a water depth of 70-120 cm.