How to Grow Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily
Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily
Nymphaea 'Emily Grant Hutchings'
flowerEmily Grant Hutchings is a tropical water lily cultivar known for its stunning deep red or crimson flowers with yellow stamens that bloom at night. This is a night-blooming variety prized for ornamental pond cultivation, displaying dramatic color and fragrance under moonlight. It produces large, rounded leaves that float on the water surface and creates a striking focal point in water gardens.
When should you plant Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily in your zone?
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Example Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Emily Grant Hutchings Water Lily dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; requires warm water year-round (70°F+)
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Rhizome Establishment
2-3 weeksYoung rhizome planted in container begins root development and sends up first leaf shoots
Keep water warm and stable; provide light fertilization every 2-3 weeks; ensure good water circulation
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant produces multiple floating leaves and stem elongation; foliage becomes more robust and established
Maintain consistent water temperature above 70°F; apply aquatic fertilizer tablets monthly; remove any dead or yellowing leaves
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin to emerge at soil level and rise toward the water surface on sturdy stems
Increase fertilizer feeding; ensure maximum sunlight exposure; maintain water clarity for proper bud development
Flowering & Blooming
2-3 months (repeated cycles)Deep red or crimson flowers open at night with yellow stamens; blooms are fragrant and last 2-3 nights each
Provide continuous fertilization during bloom period; maintain warm water (75-80°F); remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms
Dormancy/Winter Rest
Variable depending on climateIn cooler climates or seasons, plant slows growth; leaves reduce in size and production
In zones below 10, bring tubers indoors before first frost; store in cool, moist conditions (60-65°F); resume in spring
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove by hand; use fine mesh netting; introduce natural predators; apply neem oil if severe
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Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or natural aquatic predators
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Remove affected leaves promptly; improve water circulation; maintain good water quality; avoid overcrowding
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Remove by hand; introduce aquatic snail predators; monitor leaf damage regularly
Uses
Edible Petals
CulinaryWater lily petals are occasionally used as garnish in upscale culinary applications and specialty cuisine, adding visual elegance and subtle floral notes to dishes. [source]
Ornamental Pond Feature
HouseholdEmily Grant Hutchings serves as a premium focal point for water gardens and decorative ponds, creating dramatic nighttime displays that enhance landscape aesthetics and appeal. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalWater lily roots and rhizomes have been used in traditional Asian and Ayurvedic medicine to support digestive health and promote cooling properties in herbal preparations. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftEvening-blooming flowers can be harvested for elegant floral displays and nighttime garden parties, as blooms open in the evening and close by morning. [source]
Aquatic Ecosystem Support
WildlifeWater lilies provide habitat for aquatic insects, frogs, and fish while also offering food sources and shelter for pond wildlife, supporting biodiversity in water gardens. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Water lilies are ornamental; flowers are enjoyed in situ within the pond. Cut blooms for display by cutting the stem underwater early in the evening as flowers prepare to open, then place in cool water indoors where they will open at night. Blooms last 2-3 nights before closing permanently. Harvest seeds from spent flowers if propagation is desired by allowing seed pods to mature underwater.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Emily Grant Hutchings is named after the daughter of an early 20th-century water gardening enthusiast and represents the pinnacle of tropical water lily breeding with its dramatic nocturnal blooming behavior.
- 🌱 Unlike day-blooming water lilies, this tropical night-blooming cultivar opens its flowers in the evening (typically 6-9 PM) and closes by morning, making it ideal for evening garden enjoyment and night gardening enthusiasts.
- 🌱 Water lilies have been cultivated for thousands of years, appearing in ancient Egyptian art and symbolism; Nymphaea species are sacred flowers in Buddhist and Hindu traditions representing enlightenment and purity.
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