Nymphaea odorata

Nymphaea odorata is the most widespread and commonly encountered native water lily of eastern North America, found in lakes, ponds, bogs, and slow rivers from southern Canada to Florida. Its pure white flowers are among the most fragrant of any water lily species, filling the air around a pond on warm summer mornings with a sweet, delicate scent. The large, circular floating pads are dark green above with reddish-purple undersides.

This species is a classic choice for temperate and cool-water ponds, being cold-hardy across most of the northern United States and southern Canada. It is somewhat less vigorous than N. alba and therefore more manageable in medium-sized ponds. Flowering begins in late spring and continues through summer, with blooms opening in the morning and closing by early afternoon.

In cultivation, N. odorata prefers slightly acidic, soft to moderately hard water and grows best at depths of 30–90 cm. It is well suited to naturalistic wildlife ponds, formal ornamental ponds, and large tub water gardens in temperate climates.