Description of Nymphaea 'Rosanna'

Nymphaea 'Rosanna' is a hardy water lily grown for soft pink flowers and a balanced, medium spread. It grows from a rhizome planted in a basket, while the pads and blooms float on the surface. Some catalogues mix up names and offer 'Rosanna Supreme' as well, but 'Rosanna' stands on its own as a garden pond plant. The RHS lists 'Rosanna' and gives it a moderate hardiness rating, which matches how it performs in a typical UK pond when you plant it at the right depth.

Appearance

Blooms open in summer and look warm pink, sometimes described as candy pink. The flower form looks full and tidy, and it opens by day. Leaves sit low, rounded, and green, with new growth sometimes showing a bronzy tone. In good conditions the plant reaches a medium spread of roughly 90–120cm across the surface. It keeps a steady outline rather than racing across the pond, which makes it easier to place than many more vigorous cultivars.

Care Guide

Plant Nymphaea 'Rosanna' in a wide aquatic basket with heavy aquatic compost and a gravel top layer. Choose a sunny, still spot and aim for at least six hours of direct light in summer. Treat it as a medium hardy lily for depth. A practical range sits around 40–80cm from the top of the pot to the water surface, and many growers see strong performance around the middle of that range. Start the pot shallower in late spring so new pads reach the surface fast, then lower it once the plant shows steady growth. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets during the growing season and remove tired leaves to keep the crown open.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

In garden ponds, Nymphaea 'Rosanna' fits small to medium water where you want pink without a giant spread. The pads provide shade for fish and create sheltered lanes under the surface that tadpoles use. It also looks good alongside upright marginals because the lily stays low and calm. In a very small pond, keep it as the main lily and avoid planting another medium cultivar nearby, otherwise both plants end up with weak flowering and crowded pads.

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