Nymphaea Colonel A.J. Welch - Water Lily

The French hybrid (1929) Nymphaea Colonel A.J Welch is a hardy, very vigorous water lily suitable for medium to large, deep ponds (up to 1.5m (5ft)). Between June and September, its flowers open in a cup shape and then bloom into a star shape (up to 15cm (6in) in diameter with approximately 23 petals). They are light yellow harmonizing with the golden yellow stamens. Its many dark green leaves are marbled with bronze and marked with brownish-purple when young.

Nymphea 'Colonel A.J. Welch' is a deciduous aquatic perennial with rhizomes belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family. It is a hardy hybrid obtained through cross-breeding various European and North American species, including Nymphaea alba, Nymphaea odorata, and Nymphaea mexicana. It develops large floating, deeply heart-shaped, entire, wavy-edged or toothed leaves, some of which stand erect. The plant will reach 20cm (8in) high, flowering fairly well from June until autumn and spreading at least 150cm (59in). The large, perfectly shaped, very double flowers 18cm (7in) in diameter are solitary, floating, open during the day and closed at night. They are a very bright pale yellow with golden yellow stamens. The flowers are followed by fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases floating seeds, which will eventually sink and germinate in the mud.

Choose easy, well-flowered varieties, the right size for your pond. Water Lilies will be the main attraction of your pond with their spectacular flowers. Most of them bloom from spring until early autumn. Water lilies are essential for maintaining the balance of a garden pond as they contribute to water oxygenation and their leaves will provide shade and shelter for your fish, which in turn protect the lilies from predatory insects such as aphids.

The genus name comes from the Greek "nymphaia" and the Latin "nymphaea", which mean "water lily". They were inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology. Some Nymphaeas produce flowers that open in the day, some at night, and occasionally they are fragrant.