Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Rubra'

water lily

• Position: full sun
• Depth of water: 10-30cm (4-12in)
• Rate of growth: average
• Ultimate spread: 30cm (12in)
• Height above surface: 0-10cm (0-4in)
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Small, star-shaped flowers that open pink and age to warm red appear from June to September. This lovely pygmy water lily will happily grow in a shallow pond or half barrel as it only spreads to about 30cm wide. This award-winning pygmy water lily will happily grow in as little as 15cm (6in) or water and is a perfect candidate for a small pond or tub in a sheltered sunny site. The shade cast by the foliage also helps to check the spread of algae.
  
  
• Garden care: Plant firmly in a hessian-lined aquatic planting basket filled with aquatic compost. Apply a 2.5cm (1in) top-dressing of pea shingle or gravel to prevent the top layer of the planting medium from clouding the water. The crown of the plant should protrude slightly above the surface of the planting basket.