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Nuphar lutea

yellow waterlily

has leathery leaves, slightly oval in shape, to 40cm across. Yellow, cupped flowers are borne on stalks rising above the water from early summer to early autumn; the plant gets one of its common names, "brandy bottle" from their scent

Other common names
bobbins
brandy bottle
see morecan dock
clot
clote
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Sand
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Nymphaeaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Genus

Nuphar are deciduous submerged aquatic perennials with ovate or rounded floating leaves and solitary, globose flowers held just above the water surface

Name status

Correct

Plant range
E USA, W Indies, N Africa, Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers sun or partial shade and thrives in still or slow-running fresh water to a depth of 2-5m. May have the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

None required

Pests

Generally trouble free

Diseases

Generally trouble free

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