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Nymphaea 'Solfatare'
Nymphaea 'Solfatare'
Nymphaea 'Solfatare'
Nymphaea 'Solfatare'
Nymphaea 'Solfatare'

Nymphaea 'Solfatare'

Water Lily
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Sold out
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£9.10
£9.10 - £33.35
£9.10
Type: Loose Root
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Nymphaea 'Solfatare'

Nymphaea 'Solfatare' is a hardy water lily often sold for small ponds and tubs because it stays relatively compact while still flowering freely. It grows from a rhizome and forms a clump of floating pads that you can manage easily in a basket. Gardeners usually refer to it simply as Solfatare water lily, and the changing flower colour is the main reason people choose it.

Appearance

Solfatare is known for flowers that shift in colour as they age. Many descriptions say the blooms open in warm yellow or yellow-apricot tones, then deepen through orange and into richer reddish shades over a few days. This means a single plant can show several colours at once when multiple flowers are open. Some sources describe mottled or flushed leaves that can show rose and maroon tones, which adds interest even when the plant is not in bloom. Fragrance is reported as absent in some listings, so it is best not to buy it for scent.

Care Guide

Grow it in full sun for the strongest colour and the best flowering. Plant into a wide basket with heavy loam based compost and cap with washed gravel. Lower the pot in stages and keep it at a depth suited to a small to medium lily. Many sellers list it for shallow to medium shelves and quote a leaf spread around 60–90 cm, so use that as a guide for spacing. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through summer and remove ageing leaves so new growth stays strong. It is hardy, so leave it below the ice line over winter.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Solfatare suits garden ponds where you want a changing display without needing a large plant. The shifting colours work well near a path or seating spot where you can notice the day-to-day difference. The pads give shade for fish and help soften the water surface, while the compact footprint makes it easier to keep open water visible in a small pond. Clear floating debris so buds on Solfatare can rise and open cleanly at the surface. If Solfatare makes lots of leaves but few flowers, feeding often helps more than changing depth. Keep a small patch of open water near Solfatare so you can enjoy the flowers from the edge. Keep a small patch of open water near Solfatare so you can enjoy the flowers from the edge. Keep a small patch of open water near Solfatare so you can enjoy the flowers from the edge. Keep a small patch of open water near Solfatare so you can enjoy the flowers from the edge.

FAQs

What size water lily do I need for my pond?

Choose a water lily according to the eventual spread of its leaves and the depth of your pond. Compact and miniature varieties are suitable for small ponds and containers, while vigorous varieties need substantially more surface area and deeper water.

How deep should a water lily be planted?

Planting depth varies by variety. Newly planted water lilies can initially be positioned in shallower water, sometimes by raising the basket on bricks, and then lowered gradually as the leaves grow towards the surface. Check the recommended final depth for the specific variety.

Do water lilies need full sun to flower?

Most water lilies flower best with plenty of direct sunlight. A pond in heavy shade may produce fewer flowers, although requirements vary between varieties. When choosing a water lily, consider both the available sunlight and the mature size of the plant.

Can I grow a water lily in a small pond?

es. There are compact and miniature water lilies bred for small ponds, tubs and other container water features. Avoid choosing a vigorous full-sized variety for a small pond, as it can quickly cover too much of the surface.

Why is my water lily growing leaves but not flowering?

Poor flowering can result from insufficient sunlight, overcrowding, an unsuitable planting depth or lack of nutrients. Established water lilies may need dividing and repotting when congested, and plants that flower poorly may benefit from an appropriate aquatic fertiliser where feeding is required.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

Rated Excellent