Nymphaea Starbright - Waterlily

The Nymphaea 'Starbright' is an aquatic plant perfect for medium-sized ponds. From May to September, or even October, 10 cm wide star-shaped flowers rise above the water and foliage. They are cream-coloured, tinged with pink at the base and slightly fragrant. Its large dark green leaves float on the water's surface. It is an easy and hardy aquatic plant that can be planted under 30 to 70 cm of water, directly in the mud, in a basket or a container, in full sun.

The hybrid water lily 'Starbright' is a horticultural creation by Robert Kirk Strawn (USA) dating back to 1997, resulting from the cross-breeding of Nymphaea mexicana and Nymphaea 'Rembrandt'. Belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family, it is a perennial aquatic plant with deciduous foliage. Its floating leaves appear in spring. Measuring 12 to 15 cm in diameter, they are rounded and have a well-opened sinus. When young, they are olive green and gradually turn dark green, with varying purple spots. The undersides of the leaves are red. The plant spreads over 90 cm to 1.20 m. The generous flowering usually starts in May and continues until October. The flowers rise about 10 cm above the water level. They are double, measuring 10 cm in diameter and slightly fragrant. The corollas open during the day and close at night. They have about thirty rather long and slender petals, with a cream-white colour evolving into pale yellow and tinged with pink at the base, revealing a golden yellow stamen centre. Each flower lasts for 4 to 5 days before withering and being replaced by a new one.

This 'Starbright' water lily, easy and floriferous, is suitable for a medium-sized pond. It is hardy as long as its rhizome and the surrounding water do not freeze in winter. It blooms for long weeks, from late spring to early autumn. It is also an essential aquatic plant for maintaining a balanced water feature, contributing to water oxygenation. Its leaves floating on the water's surface provide shade and shelter for fish and a resting platform for dragonflies and amphibians. On the edges of your pond, create a complementary colour scheme by planting Japanese Irises such as Iris ensata 'Worley Pink' with double pink flowers or 'World's Delight' with soft pink flowers. Add verticality and uniqueness to the composition with Equisetum hyemale or Juncus effusus Spiralis.