Tropical water lily (Nymphaea 'Tina')
Nymphaea 'Tina' is a stunning Tropical water lily featuring deep violet-blue flowers, ideal for water gardens in warm climates.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Nymphaea ‘Tina’, a beautiful Tropical water lily, is prized by aquatic gardeners for its spectacular, continuous summer bloom display. This cultivar offers deep violet-blue, cup-shaped flowers emanating from its center, opening reliably each morning. It brings significant aesthetic value to any still water feature.
As an herbaceous perennial in its native tropical range, Nymphaea ‘Tina’ thrives in very wet conditions, requiring containers submerged in water. While it performs best in full sun, this reliable Tropical water lily cultivar tolerates partial shade, making it somewhat versatile for water garden placement.
Growing to a spread of 3 to 5 feet, Nymphaea ‘Tina’ provides excellent surface coverage with its floating pads. Gardeners should note that this variety is generally grown as an annual outside of its narrow tropical hardiness range, requiring specific winter protection or replacement each spring.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Nymphaeaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Deep blue to violet blue
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For successful establishment of your Nymphaea ‘Tina tubers, plant them in spring into containers using quality soil. Ensure the crown remains slightly above the soil surface when potting. Once water temperatures consistently warm—ideally around 75 degrees F—set the containers into the water garden, aiming for 6 to 12 inches of water depth above the pot.
Care for this Tropical water lily is focused heavily on nutrient availability and water temperature during the active season. If water temperatures drop below 70 degrees F, the plant can suffer dormancy or fail to survive. For vigorous flowering, fertilize the soil within the container every two to four weeks using specialized fertilizer tablets.
Since this is a Tropical water lily, winter care is critical outside of zones 10-11. In colder regions, you must treat Nymphaea ‘Tina’ as an annual or overwinter the tubers. After the first frost, remove the pots, allow tubers to dry briefly, and store them in cool, dark conditions, such as moist sand or distilled water in a 50s F basement.
Landscape Uses
Nymphaea ‘Tina’ is perfectly suited for incorporation into formalized water gardens, whether in dedicated ponds or smaller tub gardens. Its deep blue blooms create a striking contrast against the bright green foliage floating on the surface. Because it is a day-bloomer, its vibrant flowers are present throughout daylight hours, making it a reliable focal point.
These lilies function beautifully as primary aquatic features in small ponds where other marginal plants might overwhelm the space. They also serve well in strategically placed container water features on decks or patios. While they prefer still water, their spread of up to 5 feet means they need adequate surface area to expand their pads without crowding neighboring aquatic specimens.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Nymphaea is a genus known worldwide for its spectacular aquatic blooms. Specifically, Nymphaea ‘Tina’ is a fragrant, medium-sized Tropical water lily, distinguished by its deep violet-blue, cup-shaped flowers featuring bright yellow centers. Each flower proudly stands above the water surface on its own stalk, opening daily from morning until night and blooming continuously from summer into fall.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Generally, Nymphaea ‘Tina’ exhibits good resistance to major diseases and insect pests. However, be vigilant for signs of leaf mining midges, which bore fine tunnels within the foliage, and aphids, which can cluster on emerging stems and buds. Prompt action, such as applying insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to affected areas, is crucial to maintain the ornamental quality of your Tropical water lily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tropical water lily suitable for?
This Tropical water lily cultivar is typically hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 11. Gardeners in cooler regions should plan for extended winter tuber storage.
How large does Nymphaea ‘Tina’ grow?
This medium-sized variety generally reaches a height of 0.25 to 0.5 feet above the water surface and spreads nicely to cover 3 to 5 feet of water surface area.
When does Nymphaea ‘Tina’ bloom?
It produces spectacular color consistently from May until the first frost, displaying deep blue to violet blue flowers daily.
What sun exposure does Nymphaea ‘Tina’ need?
Nymphaea ‘Tina’ requires full sun for the most prolific blooming, although it will flower adequately even with part shade.
Conclusion
Nymphaea ‘Tina’ delivers exceptional beauty to any aquatic feature, highlighted by its fragrant, rich violet-blue flowers that bloom reliably all season. This stunning Tropical water lily is worth the effort required for overwintering tubers outside of tropical zones. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone compatibility or prepare proper winter storage plans for your prized Nymphaea ‘Tina’.
Companion Planting
When designing a water garden around your Nymphaea ‘Tina’, consider pairing it with marginal plants that appreciate similar warmth and sun exposure. Cattails or Pickerelweed can provide vertical structure around the edges of larger ponds, contrasting nicely with the flat surface coverage of the water lily pads. Ensure that any companion plants do not shade the Tropical water lily excessively, as light is crucial for the bloom cycle of Nymphaea ‘Tina’.
Design Ideas for Tub Gardens
For smaller spaces, growing Nymphaea ‘Tina’ in dedicated tub gardens allows for perfect management of water temperature and crowding. Use dark-colored, heavy containers to help the water warm faster in the spring, which is essential for waking up the tubers. Grouping several tubs together, perhaps varying the depth slightly while keeping the Nymphaea ‘Tina’ submerged at the optimal 6-12 inch depth, creates a layered, lush water feature on a patio.
