Nymphaea Ellisiana

The Nymphaea 'Ellisiana' is a hardy water lily of small size, but highly floriferous and easy to grow. Its flowers are not very large, but fragrant, vividly red in colour, and they appear in abundance from the month of May. These are floating cups that bloom among round, green leaves. This variety can be grown in a barrel on the terrace as well as in a medium-sized pond, under 30 to 60 cm of water. It is an old water lily still sought after for its performance, especially in cool climates.

The hybrid water lily 'Ellisiana' is sometimes marketed under the name Nymphaea (x) ellisiana. It is an old horticultural creation by Latour-Marliac. It is a aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. This plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 15 to 20 cm in diameter in a mature plant. The leaves are slightly ovate and their sinus is well-opened when they are mature. The juvenile leaves have overlapping lobes and are speckled with purple. Then, they gradually turn green. The plant spreads over 80 to 90 cm. The generous flowering usually begins in May and continues until late summer. The flowers, composed of 21 to 22 petals, measure 8 to 12 cm in diameter, and they float. These corollas open during the day and close in the evening. Their petals change from bright red to wine red, and they lighten over the days. The centre is equipped with yellow-orange stamens. Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before withering, it returns underwater and is then replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases the 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 planted.

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, Nymphaeas are among the most beautiful perennial pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until the beginning of autumn. The water lily is an essential aquatic plant for the proper balance of a garden pond, as it contributes to the oxygenation of the water. Its 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.