Black Princess Hardy Water Lily
Black Princess Hardy Water Lily is widely regarded as one of the darkest, most captivating red perennial water lilies in cultivation. Its cupped, multi-layered petals open in an intense, velvety crimson that deepens to a dramatic, near-black cherry finish by the third day. Backed by rich green and bronze-tinged pads, this cold-hardy pond plant provides non-stop blooms and a light, pleasing fragrance throughout the summer in lined ponds, water garden bowls, and natural earthen ponds.
| Bloom Color | Deep velvety ruby-red to near-black cherry |
| Flower Size & Fragrance | 5"–6" double-petaled blooms; sweet, light fragrance |
| Plant Size & Spread | Medium–Large (3–5 ft leaf spread at maturity) |
| Planting Depth | 12" to 24" (Surface of water to top of soil/pot) |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | Zones 4a – 12 (Perennial winter-hardy) |
| Sunlight Requirements | Full outdoor direct sunlight (6+ hours; not for shade) |
| Ideal Growing Setup | Lined garden ponds, patio tubs, natural earth-bottom ponds |
| Hybridizer / Origin | Perry D. Slocum (1998) |
How to Plant, Feed & Grow
- Lined Ponds: Plant in a wide, shallow, soft aquatic fabric pot using heavy loam garden soil (never potting soil or peat). Plant rhizome at a 45° angle with the growing tip/crown left barely exposed.
- Earth-Bottom Ponds: Plant directly into shallow marginal mud shelves. Large varieties establish quickly in earthen pond beds and rarely require supplemental fertilizer.
- Measuring Depth: Always calculate planting depth from the water surface down to the top of the soil/pot rim, not to the pond floor.
- Fertilizer Schedule: Insert 3 to 5 fish-safe aquatic fertilizer tablets into the root ball on the 1st and 15th of each month throughout active spring and summer growth.
- NO Rocks or Gravel: Never cover soil with pebbles, gravel, or stones. This restricts root spread, smothers the crown, and completely voids your plant guarantee.
- Full Outdoor Sun Only: Water lilies must receive full direct all-day sunlight outdoors to trigger bloom cycles.
- Wildlife Protection: Koi, turtles, and deer love eating water lily leaves and buds. Protect tender plants and avoid housing with large Koi or turtles.
How We Ship & Live Arrival Guarantee
We ship nursery-fresh, hydrated bare-root live pond plants packaged securely for prompt growth upon arrival. Orders ship between April and October 1st, timed to the optimal spring planting temperatures for your hardiness zone.
Live Arrival Guarantee: We guarantee healthy delivery on all live pond plants. If your order arrives in less than good condition, you must email clear photos of the plant and shipping box to PondQuestions@gmail.com immediately upon arrival. Waiting to report issues or using unapproved planting methods (such as rocks/gravel) voids all guarantees.
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