86 ROCK AND WATER GARDENS 



of all. The white flowers, barely two inches across, are 

 produced very early, and look especially well resting on 

 the dainty leaf plates. Helvola is one of M. Latour- 

 Marliac's seedlings, and is distinct not only for its pale 

 yellow flowers, but for the brown blotched leaves, spotted 

 underneath with red. As a few inches of water over the 

 crowns suffice, it is valuable for tubs and basins. 



Nymphaea flava (Florida Water-Lily). The roots of 

 this variety are fibrous, and the straggling growths are 

 produced somewhat like runners. Charming as it 

 appears to be in its native haunts, it is too delicate for 

 our climate, except in very warm and sheltered localities. 



Nymphaea sphaerocarpa. This is often regarded as a 

 variety of N. alba, and is similar in shape. It blooms 

 early, even in cold seasons, the flowers being a soft 

 shade of carmine. 



We now come to the beautiful hybrids, which are 

 associated with the name of M. Latour-Marliac. They 

 represent the highest development of the Water-Lily, 

 and whilst exhibiting an almost tropical range of colour- 

 ing, are remarkably hardy. 



N. Marliacea albida. This magnificent flower is the 

 queen of white Water-Lilies. Single blooms frequently 

 measure eight or nine inches across. The petals are 

 milk white, the stamens rich golden-yellow, whilst the 

 leaves, a bright reddish purple when young, change 

 later to a deep glossy green. 



N. M. carnea. The bases of the petals are tinged 

 with flesh pink : fragrant. 



N. M. rosea. Deep rosy pink in colour : the flowers 

 large and of good shape. 



N. M. chromatella (Canary Water-Lily). This is one 

 of the finest. The petals are sulphur-yellow, shading 

 to a deeper tinge. The leaves form an admirable setting 

 to the flowers, being a distinct red, blotched with dark 

 maroon. 



