Nymphaea ‘Attraction’ (Hardy Water Lily)

Nymphaea ‘Attraction’ (Water Lily) is a day-blooming aquatic perennial boasting oval-shaped light bronze leaves when young, up to 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm), maturing to deep green. Floating on the surface of the water, they create a lovely backdrop for the large cup- to star-shaped flowers. Each slightly fragrant blossom, up to 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), features deep rose-red inner petals and paler outer petals. They surround a conspicuous bouquet of yellow stamens. Each flower lasts several days, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. Blooming from early summer to early fall, Attraction is free-flowering and produces many flowers over a long season. It makes a good cut flower and tolerates the summer heat better than most red water lilies. This hardy nymphaea is recommended for medium to large ponds.

• Grows up to 4 in. tall (10 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). 
• Depth of water: 6-48 in. (15-120 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in loamy soil in undisturbed water. Plant in a basket with the crown just below the soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertilizer.
• Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly.
• Keep an eye out for water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot.
• Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established.