Description of Nymphaea 'Tina' Tropical

Nymphaea 'Tina' is a tropical water lily grown for deep violet-blue flowers and strong fragrance. It is a day-blooming variety, which means the flowers open in the morning and close again later. It grows from a crown rather than a hardy rhizome, produces floating pads, and can flower continuously through warm weather. People often call it simply Tina tropical water lily. In the UK it suits gardeners who treat tropical lilies as a summer plant or who can overwinter it frost-free.

Appearance

Tina makes rounded, wavy-edged floating leaves that can reach about 25 cm across in good conditions. The flowers are the main event: large, cup-shaped blooms around 15 cm across are commonly reported, with pointed petals in a deep violet-blue shade and a bright golden centre. Most sources describe it as very fragrant. Flowers last a few days each and keep coming in warm weather, so you get an ongoing display rather than a short flush. In strong sun, the blue tone looks richer and clearer, while in cooler weather the plant can slow down and produce fewer buds.

Care Guide

Treat Tina as tropical, not hardy. Give it full sun and warm, still water. Plant it in a wide basket or solid pot with loam based compost and a gravel cap. Start it in shallower water so new leaves reach the surface easily, then lower as growth strengthens. In a UK garden pond, the main challenge is temperature. It will not reliably overwinter outdoors, so plan to lift and overwinter indoors in a warm tank, or grow it as a seasonal plant and replace it. Feed regularly with aquatic fertiliser tablets during the growing season, as tropical lilies respond quickly to feeding. Remove old leaves to keep the crown open and to reduce rot in the pot.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Tina suits sunny ponds and large tubs where you want a dramatic blue flower for summer. It is especially good in a patio container because you can place it in the warmest, brightest spot and enjoy the scent close up. In larger ponds it can spread widely in warm conditions, with some sources giving a mature spread in the 90–150 cm range, so plan space. Because it is tropical, it is best for gardeners who do not mind lifting plants at the end of the season. A wide basket helps Tina root evenly and usually improves the flower count. Clear floating debris so buds on Tina are not held under the surface. Keep a patch of open water next to Tina so you can enjoy the flowers properly from the edge.

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