Nymphaea alba

Nymphaea alba is the quintessential temperate pond water lily, native across much of Europe and temperate Asia from Ireland to Siberia. It colonises lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers with depths of 0.5–3 metres, spreading by long underwater rhizomes. The floating pads are large, rounded, dark green, with a characteristic cleft at the base, and the solitary flowers are pure white with a dense mass of golden stamens and a sweet, delicate fragrance that is most pronounced on warm summer mornings.

In cultivation, N. alba is one of the hardiest water lily species available, surviving winters down to at least -25°C with rhizomes submerged below the frost line. It is ideally suited to large natural ponds and lakes, though it can be maintained in smaller formal ponds with regular rhizome control. It flowers prolifically from late spring through early autumn.

Being a vigorous, space-demanding species, N. alba is best reserved for larger water features. In smaller ponds it should be containerised and rhizome growth restricted to prevent it from overwhelming the water surface.

Light: High (full sun essential — minimum 6 hours direct sunlight for good flowering). CO2: Not applicable; grown in natural ponds and large containers. Fertilisation: Slow-release pond lily fertiliser tablets in planting container every spring; top-dress annually. Placement: Large ponds at 60–150 cm depth; containerise in planting baskets to control spread. Propagation: Divide rhizomes in spring; each section with a growing tip and roots will establish independently.