Nymphaea

The Nearly circular, floating leaves are about 3-10" across. The fragrant, showy, white flowers, about 3-5" across, appear from June through fall. Flowers may be cut (preferably the first day they open) and kept in a bowl of water. This native, wild form produces abundant blossoms (although it is not as free-blooming as cultivated types), and is vigorous and well suited for naturalizing. Start in water about 8-12" deep; mature plants can grow in water to about 5' deep. Waterfowl often feed on the seeds of water lily plants, and various other animals which frequent wetlands utilize portions of the plant as food also (protect young plants from aquatic wildlife, where present; established plants are sufficiently vigorous to tolerate some predation).