Madame Wilfron Gonnere (Hardy Water-lily) - Blush-Pink Double Blooms for Medium to Large Ponds (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

An elegant, double-flowered hardy water-lily, Madame Wilfron Gonnere (sometimes listed simply as Gonnere) is a timeless favourite for larger ponds. Each bloom is a blush of soft pink petals, layered like a waterborne peony and offset by broad, rounded green pads. The flowers open fully in bright sunlight, revealing a soft golden centre and a faint, sweet fragrance that drifts across still water.

Flowering generously from June to September, it forms a mature spread of 90-120 cm with blooms around 12-15 cm across, sitting just above or level with the water’s surface. This cultivar’s sturdy habit and strong petal count give it a luxurious, almost sculptural appearance - perfect for adding depth and calm to wildlife ponds.

Where it thrives
Light: Full sun (5-6+ hrs daily)
Water/Depth: Still water; final depth 30-60 cm over the crown (start shallower and lower gradually)
Setting: Medium to large ponds; still shelves of wildlife ponds; combine with native soft verticals for layered habitat and colour contrast.

Planting & care

Stage the depth: Begin around 20-30 cm over the crown in spring, lowering in stages as pads reach the surface until 30-60 cm final depth.

Keep away from fountains or heavy movement - lilies love calm, settled water.

Tidy yellowing pads and spent blooms through summer; divide and replant every 3-5 years in spring if crowded.

No fertilisers or pesticides; top up with rainwater where possible.

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only - do not ingest. Keep all plant material and sediment out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Pads provide shade and safety for tadpoles, beetles, and snails, while blooms attract pollen-seeking beetles and flies that rest in the warmth of open flowers.

Joel says…
“‘Madame Wilfron Gonnere’ has that old-world romance about it - big, soft, double blooms that look like they’ve been painted onto the water. It’s generous, calming, and full of wildlife life beneath the pads.”