Nymphaea 'Comanche'

Nymphaea 'Comanche' is one of the finest changeable-flowered water lily cultivars, bred by Marliac at his famous nursery in Temple-sur-Lot, France. The flowers open in a soft apricot-yellow and undergo a dramatic transformation over their 3–4 day lifespan, passing through golden-orange to a rich, deep copper-orange-red. With multiple blooms at different stages simultaneously, the plant presents an ever-shifting tapestry of warm tones across the water surface.

The floating pads are attractively marked with purplish-green mottling, and the plant itself is vigorous — large enough to suit medium to large ponds but not so rampant as to be unmanageable. It flowers prolifically from late spring through early autumn under full-sun conditions and is reliably cold-hardy across temperate Europe and northern America.

For those who want the most dynamic and visually evolving flower colour in a hardy water lily, 'Comanche' is an outstanding choice and among the most talked-about cultivars at water lily shows.

Light: Full sun for best colour intensity and prolific blooming throughout the season. CO2: Not required. Fertilisation: Aquatic fertiliser tabs in container at spring planting and again in midsummer. Placement: Medium to large ponds at 40–90 cm depth. Propagation: Divide rhizome every 3–5 years in spring; take vigorous growing tips for replanting.