Nymphaea Berthold

Nymphaea 'Berthold' is a hardy small-sized water lily that charms with its abundant porcelain pink flowering. Its small cup-shaped flowers with yellow-orange stamens bloom in groups, standing out well against the well-proportioned small green leaves. This variety is perfect for ornamenting small ponds, basins, barrels, for example on a terrace or balcony. Its rhizome should be planted shallowly, between 20 and 40cm below the surface.

Nymphaea 'Berthold' is a horticultural creation from Berthold Nursery (G.B, Devon) dating back to 1993. It is a pink version of the Nymphaea 'Froebelii' with red flowers. It is classified in the group of small water lilies. It is a aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. This plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 8 to 12cm in diameter in a mature plant, starting from spring. The leaves are round and their sinus is open two-thirds. When young, they are marbled with purple-brown, then gradually turn green with fading spots. The plant, with slow growth and small size, spreads over 60-70cm. The flowering, particularly generous and perpetual, usually starts in June and continues until September-October, depending on the climate. The flowers, cup-shaped, measure 6 to 7cm in diameter and float on the water surface. These corollas open during the day and close in the evening. Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before wilting, it returns underwater and is replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases floating seeds that will eventually sink and germinate in the mud. Water lilies are hardy as long as their rhizome does not freeze in winter. It is important to ensure that the water does not freeze at the depth where they are installed.

Choose varieties of water lilies that are easy, hardy, and floriferous, and above all, those that have a size proportionate to your pond. With their perfectly shaped flowers, water lilies are among the most beautiful perennial pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until the beginning of autumn. Water lilies are essential aquatic plants for maintaining the balance of a garden pond, as they contribute to water oxygenation. Their leaves floating on the water surface will provide shade and shelter for your fish, which in return will protect them from predatory insects like aphids.

The genus name comes from the Greek nymphaia and the Latin name nymphaea, which means "water lily". They were inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology. Nymphaea bears flowers that are sometimes diurnal, sometimes nocturnal, and occasionally fragrant.