Description of Nymphaea 'Attraction'

Nymphaea 'Attraction' is a classic hardy water lily for a sunny pond, known for dark red flowers and a vigorous, surface-covering habit. It grows from a rhizome and builds a broad raft of floating pads before it settles into steady summer flowering. Most people just call it Attraction water lily, and the cultivar name is the main “common name” used in the trade. It suits ponds where you want a bold colour that reads from a distance.

Appearance

New leaves often emerge bronze-tinged, then mature to green as the season moves on. Mature pads are broad and can reach roughly 25–30 cm across in good conditions. Flowers open in daylight and sit on or just above the surface. The petals are deep rose-red to garnet, often with lighter outer petals and occasional pale flecking. A bright cluster of yellow stamens holds the centre. In strong sun the colour looks richest, while cooler weather can make the outer petals look a little paler. Blooms are large, commonly described in the 15–20 cm range, and they tend to show well against the foliage.

Care Guide

Grow Attraction in full sun and keep it away from splashing water, fountains, or strong circulation. Plant it in a wide aquatic basket using heavy loam based compost, then top with washed gravel. Start it a little higher in the pond so the first leaves can reach the surface easily, then lower the pot gradually. Many guides place it in medium to deeper water, with a working range around 45–100 cm of water over the crown, depending on pond depth and plant strength. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season because a vigorous lily uses a lot of nutrients. Remove yellowing pads and spent blooms so the plant stays open and the pond stays tidy. Over winter, keep the rhizome below the ice line and leave it alone until spring growth restarts.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Attraction is best in medium to large ponds because it can make a wide patch of pads, often around 120–150 cm across once established. That surface cover gives fish shade and helps reduce light penetration in summer. It also makes the pond feel more natural by creating a sheltered zone under the leaves. If your pond is small, you can still grow it, but you will need a basket and you may have to divide it more often to stop it taking over the surface.

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