Nymphaea 'Almost Black' (H)

Grow in undisturbed water in full sun. Plant in baskets in loamy soil with crowns just below soil surface and covered with pea shingle. Position basket so that it is covered by 15-25 cm of water, as the plants establish lower the plants to twice the initial planting depth. Feed during the growing season with a proprietary aquatic fertiliser at the manufacturer's recommended rate. See pond plants for further advice

Deadhead and remove yellow leaves regularly

Propagate by division of rhizomes or offsets in summer, place pots in shallow water until established. See pond plant propagation

Susceptible to water-lily beetle, water lily aphid, brown china-mark moth and false leaf-mining midge

May be susceptible to crown rot, brown spot and water lily leaf spot