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Next carnivorous plant dispatch date: 28th October
Next carnivorous plant dispatch date: 28th October
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'
Nymphaea 'Vesuve'

Nymphaea 'Vesuve'

Water Lily
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
in stock, ready to be shipped
Availability:
Out of stock
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£11.70
£9.10 - £33.35
£11.70
Type: Kit
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 'Vesuve'

Nymphaea 'Vesuve' is a hardy water lily for still ponds and containers, grown under the name Vesuve. It is known for a long flowering season and colour that reads as magenta-red in sun. It is also a classic choice when you want strong red without a fussy plant. Most gardeners simply call it a water lily.

Appearance

Vesuve makes a neat raft of pads that sit flat on the surface. Nearly round green pads with bronze-brown undersides and purple stems. Flowers are fragrant red to magenta-red flowers up to about 18 cm across, with petals that often look slightly creased or concave. Buds rise on short stems and open widest in calm, sunny weather.

Care Guide

Grow Vesuve in full sun if you can, with the pot away from fountains and pump outlets. Plant into a wide aquatic basket with heavy loam based compost and cap with washed gravel so the water stays clear. Lower the basket in stages and settle it at about 15–60 cm over the crown. Feed with aquatic fertiliser tablets through the growing season, pushing them deep into the compost. Remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers as you go to reduce debris. As a hardy lily, it can stay in the pond over winter as long as the crown sits below the ice line.

Suitability for Garden Ponds

Vesuve suits ponds where you can spare a surface area of about about 90–120 cm (sometimes a bit more in rich conditions). The pads give shade for fish and tadpoles and cut down glare on the water. If the pond is small, one lily is usually enough and looks more natural than several competing plants.

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.

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