Nymphaea Conqueror

Nymphaea 'Conqueror' is a hardy water lily of large size that produces large double flowers mottled with purple red on a white background. These flowers bloom among large round green leaves throughout the summer. This vigorous variety is suitable for medium to large bodies of water. Its rhizome should be planted 40cm to 1m below the surface. It is a very floriferous and colorful water lily that stands out in a pond.

The hybrid Nymphaea 'Conqueror' is a horticultural creation by Latour-Marliac (France) dating back to 1910. It is a aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. This plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 16 to 20cm in diameter in mature plants starting from spring. The leaves are round, sometimes undulate, and their sinus is normally open two-thirds, sometimes completely open or almost closed. When young, they are bronze in color and gradually turn to shiny dark green. The plant, particularly vigorous, spreads over 1.50m and more. The generous flowering usually begins in June and continues until late summer. The flowers, composed of 25 petals, measure 14 to 18cm in diameter and bloom on the surface. Their colour is precisely described by Latour-Marliac as follows: "bright red, with white petals on the concave side and veined with red on the convex side; yellow-orange stamens." 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 are proportionate to your pond. With their perfectly shaped flowers, Nymphaeas are among the most beautiful pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until early 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's surface will provide shade and shelter for your fish, which in turn will protect them from predatory insects such as 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.