Nymphaea Evelyn Stetson

The Nymphaea 'Evelyn Stetson' is an old cultivar that is still appreciated for its beautiful white star-shaped flowers with pale green sepals that elegantly rise above the water. The plant is vigorous, but rather compact, with intense green leaves that remain clustered. This water lily is suitable for medium-sized bodies of water and small ponds, its rhizome should be planted under 30 to 60 cm of water.

The Nymphaea 'Evelyn Stetson' is also marketed under the name Nymphaea 'M. Evelyn Stetson'. It is a horticultural cultivar by Paul Stetson (U.S.A) dating back to 1970. This water lily is a aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. The plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 12 to 15 cm in diameter in a mature plant starting from spring. The leaves are round and their sinus is slightly open, often closed. Their upper surface is coloured a very vibrant green. The plant spreads over approximately 90 cm. Flowering usually begins in June and continues until late summer. The star-shaped flowers measure 10 cm in diameter, and rise a few cm above the water. They have a rank of pale green sepals surrounding numerous slender petals of pure white. The yellow stamen core is clearly visible. These corollas open during the day and close in the evening. 

Each flower lives for 4 to 5 days before withering, it returns underwater and is then replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases the floating seeds that will 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, hardy, and floriferous, and above all, those that have a size proportionate to your pond. With their perfectly shaped flowers, Nymphaeas are among the most beautiful perennial pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until the beginning of autumn. The water lily is an essential aquatic plant for the proper balance of a garden pond, as it contributes to the oxygenation of the water. Its leaves floating on the water's surface will provide shade and shelter for your fish, which in turn will protect them from predatory insects such as aphids.

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