Water Poppy.

You will receive one piece.

Water poppies, Hydrocleys nymphoides, are a low-maintenance, perennial aquatic plant. Their species name, nymphoides, references their similar appearance to water lilies in the genus Nymphaea

Delicate tri-petal yellow flowers with a purple center make water poppies easily identifiable. Their shiny, floating leaves are approximately 5 to 10cm (2-4″), and flowers have a diameter of around 5cm (2″).

Water poppies are a favourite of several species of bees, including honeybees and bumblebees (Apis mellifera and Bombus brevivillus, respectively), which makes them a great choice to aid in the conservation of these essential, but struggling, hard-working insects.

Water poppies have stolons—often called runners, which are stems that grow just below the surface and either break off or extend outward to establish new colonies. Originally found in the subtropics of Central and South America, water poppies were introduced to the wetlands of the United States, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand as a byproduct of pond and aquarium cultivation. Water poppies can grow up to 30cm (12″) tall, but much of their size comes from horizontal spread, with plants reaching up to 1.5 meters. Water poppies flower June through August in water temperatures of at least 21°C (70°F). Although each flower only lasts one day, an abundance of flowers per cluster ensures their beauty continues all summer. Water poppies grow quickly in direct sunlight and warm weather. However, they are rather hardy and can be grown in regions with extreme minimum winter temperatures of around -4°C (25°F) and up (USDA zones 9-11). Water poppies tolerate temperate climates, but indoor overwintering in shallow tubs is recommended for cooler areas. Water poppies should be planted in rich soil along pond margins or in shallow fresh water (pH 6.5-7.5). They prefer less than 15cm (6″) of water but can survive in depths up to 40cm (16″). Water poppies should be planted on pond bottoms in containers or wet loam—a fertile mud composed of equal parts sand, silt, and clay. If using a container, the bottom two-thirds should be filled with special aquatic soil (not lightweight potting mix) and the roots spread out over top. More aquatic soil should then be added so the base of the stem is in around 2.5cm (1″) of soil. If planted in pond margins, water poppies will grow outward onto the water’s surface with floating stems.

Water poppies do not produce many easily harvested seeds. If planted from seeds, they should be sowed in a shallow pan in 5cm (2″) of water with aquatic soil and a top layer of sand.