Nymphaea Perry's Red Glow - Water lily

The Nymphaea 'Perry's Red Glow' is a variety of water lily that is quite rare in cultivation, sought after for its intensely red flowers, both deep and of rare vivacity. Its medium-sized flowers form stars, visible from afar among beautiful, lush green foliage. The rhizome of this water lily should ideally be planted at a depth of between 30 and 60 cm. It is a variety that grows slowly but is easy to cultivate and suitable for medium-sized ponds.

The hybrid water lily 'Perry's Red Glow' is a horticultural creation by Perry D. Slocum (USA) from 1989. It is a perennial with deciduous foliage belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. Starting in spring, this plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 14 to 18 cm in diameter in a mature plant. The leaves are heart-shaped with an open sinus. When young, they are coloured purplish-red and gradually turn bright green. The plant spreads over approximately 1 m. Flowering generally begins in June and continues until September. The slightly fragrant flowers measure 10 cm in diameter and open at the water's surface or sometimes slightly above if the rhizome is planted shallowly. The petals are long and narrow, ranging from dark red to magenta. Their centre is adorned with stamens of a bright orange-yellow. These corollas open during the day and close in the evening. Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before wilting, then it returns underwater and is replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases floating seeds that eventually sink and germinate in the mud. Water lilies are hardy as long as their rhizome does not freeze in winter. It is important to ensure that the water does not freeze at the depth where they are planted.

Choose varieties of water lilies that are easy to grow, hardy, floriferous, and, above all, proportionate to your pond's size. With their perfectly shaped flowers, water lilies are among the most beautiful plants for ponds. Most of them bloom for long weeks until early autumn. Water lilies are essential aquatic plants for maintaining the balance of a garden pond, as they contribute to the oxygenation of the water. Their floating leaves provide shade and shelter for your fish, protecting them from predatory insects such as aphids.

The genus name comes from the Greek nymphaia and the Latin name nymphaea, which means "water lily". The nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology inspired them. Nymphaea produces flowers that are sometimes diurnal, sometimes nocturnal, and occasionally fragrant.