Nymphaea White Sultan - Waterlily

The Nymphaea 'White Sultan' is a water lily with a large growth habit well-suited for medium to large ponds. For weeks on end, large pure white flowers with yellow stamens appear at their centre, and a light fragrance appears. Its large, tender green leaves float on the water's surface. This hardy variety can be planted in full sun under 30 to 80 cm of water, directly in the mud, in a basket, or in a container.

The hybrid water lily 'White Sultan' is a horticultural creation by Robert Kirk Strawn (U.S.A) in 1991. Belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family, it is an aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage. Its floating leaves appear in spring. Measuring 15 to 20 cm in diameter, they are round and a beautiful tender green. The plant, particularly vigorous, spreads over 90 cm to 1.50 m. The flowering usually starts in June and continues until September or even October. The slightly fragrant flowers float on the water's surface. In a cup, they measure between 10 and 15 cm in diameter. The corollas are open during the day and close at night. They have between 24 and 26 large and rounded petals of a pure and shiny white, revealing a golden yellow stamen. Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before wilting and being replaced by a new one.

With its generous flowering, this giant water lily, 'White Sultan', is stunning in a medium to large pond. It is hardy as long as the water does not freeze to the depth at which the rhizome is planted. It blooms for weeks on end, from late spring to early autumn. It is also an essential aquatic plant for maintaining a balanced pond, as it contributes to water oxygenation. Its floating leaves provide shade and shelter for fish and serve as resting platforms for dragonflies and amphibians. Along the edges of your water feature, opt for white with Iris sibirica 'Not Quite White' with its large white flowers and meadowsweet Filipendula purpurea 'Alba'. Add some verticality to your composition with Typha angustifolia or narrow-leaf cattail.