Page 379 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

WATER LILIES AND LOTUSES 377

Nymphaea caroliniana ‘Nivea’ Nymphaea ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnère’
Caroliniana Nivea Madame Wilfron Gonnère

ORIGINS Created by Joseph Latour-Marliac in 1893, this ORIGINS Created soon after 1912, but this cultivar’s
cultivar includes N. odorata in its parentage. ancestry is unclear.
SIZE Leaves may spread to about 5 ft (1.5 m). SIZE Leaves may spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m).
WATER Not fussy about water chemistry. Hardy to WATER Not fussy about water chemistry. Hardy to
–30°F (–34°C). –30°F (–34°C).
PROPAGATION Divide the rhizome at the start of the PROPAGATION Divide the rhizome at the start of the
growing period. growing period.
The popularity of this white cultivar has faded over This beautiful pink water lily is easy to grow
recent years in the face of competition from other, and will flower for many years once
more free-flowering varieties. Nevertheless, it established, producing double blooms
produces large, very fragrant blooms, typically resembling those of a peony. It should not be
up to 6 in (15 cm) across, with the leaves being confused with the cultivar known as ‘Gonnère’
entirely green on both surfaces. Plant ‘Caroliniana (see p.377), although it does have a similar flower
Nivea’ so that the rhizomes have space to spread. shape. ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnère’ is yet another
cultivar created at Joseph Latour-Marliac’s nursery
in Temple-sur-Lot, near Bordeaux, France,
although it was not developed until after his death
in 1911. The flowers of ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnère’
are rather ball-shaped when in bud, but they open
rapidly and stay open until late in the afternoon.
There is a slight color change as the flowers
mature, with the petals becoming a darker shade
of pink. Fully open, they measure about 5 in (12.5
cm) in diameter. The leaves, which can be double
the flower size, are green, with early leaves often
displaying a yellowish stripe in the spring.

Nymphaea ‘Vesuve’ Nymphaea x laydekeri ‘Fulgens’
Vesuve Fulgens

ORIGINS Created by M. Latour-Marliac in 1906, but ORIGINS Created by Joseph Latour-Marliac in 1895, but
this cultivar’s ancestry is unknown. this cultivar’s ancestry is unknown.
SIZE Leaves may spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m). SIZE Leaves may spread to about 5 ft (1.5 m).
WATER Not fussy about water chemistry. Hardy to WATER Not fussy about water chemistry. Hardy to
–30°F (–34°C). –30°F (–34°C).
PROPAGATION Divide the rhizome at the start of the PROPAGATION Divide the rhizome at the start of the
growing period. growing period.
‘Vesuve’ blooms over a longer period than most The flowering period of ‘Fulgens’ begins in early
hardy water lilies. The stellate flowers, with their spring and can continue into fall, with the
dark orange stamens, are predominantly red, cup-shaped, deep red blooms darkening as they
becoming a deeper, fiery shade as they age. The mature. The stamens are fiery red, while the
concave petals are quite distinctive and often outer sepals around the bud are streaked
appear to be folded along their length. Because of with rose pink. The leaves are purplish-
its glowing color, this water lily was named after green at first, turning fully green as they
Mount Vesuvius, the Italian volcano. age. This fast-growing hybrid establishes
itself quickly, flowering profusely yet not
choking the pond with its leaves. It can be
included in a small pond but is ideal for large
expanses of water, where a number planted
close together create a spectacular display.
Choose a sunny site, both to encourage early
growth in the spring and to maximize the
flowering period. The scientific name
commemorates Joseph Latour-Marliac’s son-in-
law, Maurice Laydeker, who took over the running
of the nursery after his father-in-law’s death.

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