Description of Nymphaea 'Perry's Double White'

Nymphaea 'Perry's Double White' is a hardy water lily bred for pure white, double flowers and a compact, free-flowering habit. It grows from a rhizome planted in a basket and then forms a neat patch of pads with blooms that open in daylight. The cultivar name often appears in different punctuation styles in listings, but the plant stays the same. It suits still water and a sunny spot in a garden pond.

Appearance

Flowers open star-shaped and look full, with layers of white petals and a yellow centre. Well-grown blooms often reach about 15–18cm across. The white stays clean rather than turning cream. Leaves are rounded, slightly ruffled, and dark green once mature, while new pads can emerge bronze. Stems sometimes show mottling. The plant can cover a medium patch of water, and many growers allow around 1.2–1.5m for full spread, though it can stay smaller in cooler or tighter ponds.

Care Guide

Plant Nymphaea 'Perry's Double White' in a roomy basket, often around 23cm across or larger, filled with heavy aquatic compost and topped with washed gravel. Place it in full sun and keep it away from strong splash. A practical depth range sits around 30–80cm of water above the pot. Start it shallower in spring, then lower it gradually as pads strengthen. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season, placing them around the rhizome rather than in the crown. Remove old leaves as they yellow so the plant stays open and the surface stays clear.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

This cultivar suits small to medium ponds where you want a classic white lily with a fuller flower. The pad cover gives shade for fish and cools the water under the leaves. It also creates platforms and cover for insects and amphibians in a wildlife pond. In a very small pond, it works best as your main lily rather than one of several, because crowding reduces flowers and makes the surface look congested.

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