Nymphaea 'Attraction Red'

Nymphaea 'Attraction' is one of the most celebrated hardy red water lily cultivars ever bred by Joseph Bory Marliac, and it has remained a standard by which other red cultivars are judged for over a century. The large, cup-shaped flowers are a deep garnet-red to crimson with white-tipped stamens and sepals, creating a striking two-tone contrast. Blooms are large, often reaching 15–20 cm across in well-grown specimens, and are produced prolifically throughout summer.

The floating pads are broad and rounded, olive-green mottled with brownish-purple. The plant is vigorous and grows into a large specimen best suited to medium to large ponds where it has space to develop fully. It is exceptionally cold-hardy and long-lived — well-established plants often produce improved bloom quality with each passing year.

'Attraction' remains the benchmark red for many water gardeners and is an essential cultivar for any pond collection aspiring to classical quality.

Light: Full sun — minimum 6 hours direct sunlight for best flowering. CO2: Not required. Fertilisation: Generous aquatic fertiliser tabs at planting and mid-season; large rhizome benefits from rich growing medium. Placement: Medium to large ponds at 40–100 cm depth; containerise in large baskets. Propagation: Rhizome division every 3–5 years in spring to refresh vigour.