Tropical water lily (Nymphaea 'Wood's Blue Goddess')
Nymphaea 'Wood's Blue Goddess' is a spectacular Tropical water lily producing showy blue flowers. Ideal for water gardens in Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ is a sensational Tropical water lily renowned for its superb performance in aquatic settings. This cultivar delights gardeners with deep sky-blue flowers highlighted by nearly black stamens, creating a striking focal point on the water’s surface. As a nonviviparous tropical type, it offers reliable bloom from early summer until the first hard frost.
Cultivating this variety brings the dramatic flair of aquatic perennials to your pond or tub garden. While Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ tolerates partial shade, providing full sun exposure ensures the most vigorous blooming performance. Gardeners must manage its requirements carefully, especially regarding water temperature upon initial planting.
The genus name, Nymphaea, pays homage to water nymphs, perfectly capturing the ethereal beauty these aquatic plants bring to a landscape. Growing Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ successfully requires attention to container planting depth and winter dormancy strategies for northern climates.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 6-8 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: Blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ is best done in spring once water temperatures reliably exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the tubers in containers, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the soil level before submerging them. Tropical water lilies require specific staging; place containers 6 to 12 inches deep in still water. If the water temperature is below 70 degrees F, the plant may fail to thrive or enter an unwanted dormant state.
Maintenance for this Tropical water lily is classified as medium, primarily involving consistent feeding throughout the growing season. To maximize flower production from your Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’, incorporate fertilizer tablets directly into the container soil every two to four weeks. While the plant handles some shade, maximizing its blue blooms requires positioning it where it receives ample light.
Winter care dictates whether you treat Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ as an annual or attempt overwintering. In areas outside Zones 10-11, remove pots after the first fall frost. Tubers can be cleaned, dried for several days, and stored in cool conditions (around 50°F) in moist sand or jars of distilled water in a basement. Divide and repot tubers early in the spring, about a month prior to reintroducing them to the warmer water garden.
Landscape Uses
Tropical water lilies, including ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’, are unparalleled for adding vertical color and texture to aquatic environments. These plants thrive when utilized in dedicated water gardens and small ponds, where their expansive leaves and vibrant flowers float beautifully over the surface. They act as living anchors in the design, immediately drawing the eye.
For gardeners with limited space, Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ excels in tub gardens. A large, decorative container placed on a patio or deck can simulate a miniature pond, allowing anyone to enjoy this impressive blue bloomer. They look stunning paired with marginal plants that offer contrasting foliage textures, such as cattails or irises, provided the marginals do not shade the water lily too heavily.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nymphaea is a genus of about 50 species of herbaceous aquatic perennials found worldwide that are grown for their spectacular flowers. Tropical water lilies can be either day-flowering or night-flowering and generally their flowers extend above the water. ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ is a superb tropical water lily that features sky blue flowers with near black stamens, and it has been noted to tolerate some shade.
Tolerances
No tolerances were specified for Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’.
Potential Problems
Gardeners typically find that Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ does not suffer from major insect or disease issues, which simplifies its medium maintenance profile. However, watch for minor infestations of leaf mining midges or aphids, especially when the plants are newly established or stressed.
Regular inspection of the undersides of the leaves and stems can help catch pests early. If pests become bothersome, localized treatment using insecticidal soap may be necessary, focusing application carefully to avoid contaminating bulk pond water if possible. Good water circulation, though this plant prefers still water, can sometimes help minimize soft tissue pest issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tropical water lily suitable for?
Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ is typically suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11 for outdoor survival. Gardeners in cooler zones must bring the tubers in for winter storage.
How large does Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ grow?
This Tropical water lily generally reaches a height between 0.5 and 1 foot above the water surface, spreading six to eight feet across the water in a mature planting.
What sun exposure does Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ need?
This plant thrives best in full sun, but Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ has the noted benefit of flowering well even with partial shade conditions.
When does Tropical water lily bloom?
You can expect your Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ to offer continuous color from June until the frost arrives in autumn, featuring striking blue flowers.
Conclusion
Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ offers significant aesthetic value with its easily managed growth and stunning blue display, making it a must-have for any substantial water feature or tub garden. Ensure you confirm USDA zone compatibility or prepare for careful overwintering to enjoy this spectacular Tropical water lily season after season. Plan your spring planting when water temperatures finally warm up for optimal success.
Container Growing
Growing this Tropical water lily in containers is often the most accessible method, especially for gardeners seeking mobility or those in marginal zones. Use large, heavy pots to prevent tipping and ensure the growing medium is adequate to support the roots and anchor the plant in the water. Depth control is key: beginners should aim to keep the crown of the Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ tuber submerged in 6 to 12 inches of water once established after the initial warming period.
Proper fertilization is especially crucial for containerized Nymphaea plants because nutrients wash out or become depleted faster than in undisturbed pond bottoms. Utilize slow-release fertilizer tablets specifically designed for water lilies, pushing them into the soil near the tuber every few weeks to sustain strong foliage and abundant blue blooms on your Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’.
Companion Planting
When integrating Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ into a larger water garden, select companions based on light and depth compatibility. Plants that prefer the edges of the pond, such as upright irises or bog plants like Marsh Marigold, can frame the water lily beautifully without competing for root space in the deep water zone. Ensure any marginal companion does not cast too much shade onto the flower pads of the Tropical water lily.
Consider the aesthetic contrast provided by companion plants. Tall, vertical elements enhance the peaceful, horizontal spread of the lily pads. If growing in a simple tub setup, pairing the intense blue of Nymphaea ‘Wood’s Blue Goddess’ with a contrasting, warmer-toned water lettuce or hyacinth (used as temporary annuals) can elevate the display significantly before the main bloom season begins.
