Nymphaea 'Blue Beauty'

tropical blue waterlily

Introduced in 1897, this tried and true cultivar is one of the very best because of its frequent blooms (it nearly always has a flower) and beautiful color. The flowers last for about a week each, opening in the morning and closing in the evening. For a few of the days, the flower will open male, and the rest of the days it will open female; in this way the plant makes sure it does not self-pollinate. Here's a great time-lapse video of some water lily flowers opening and closing:

Many water lilies have a pleasant fragrance that has been used in perfumery since antiquity and is used in aromatherapy today for increased tranquility and awareness.

Drinks and teas can be made from flower petals of blue water lilies. Water lily leaves and flower buds are edible after boiling. Seeds have also been eaten after being either popped or made into flour. But before you go trying all that, you should know that parts of certain species of water lily are purported to have psychoactive properties, although results have been reported as mild or inconsistent. Still, caution is advised. One thing that is for sure is that blue water lilies were significant plants for ancient Egyptians, and this may lend credence to speculation about psychoactivity, thought the plant may have risen to such esteem strictly by merit of its beauty. Blue water lily flowers were found spread over the mummified bodies of notable Egyptians, including Tutankhamen and Ramses II; living individuals also decorated themselves with the flower, either individually or in garlands.

Journals of early explorers in America record the use of water lilies by several Native American tribes for a number of medicinal purposes.

There are water lilies available for all but the northernmost areas of the United States. This particular variety is suited to tropical climates, but there’s nothing to say you couldn’t put it out in the summer and bring it inside for the winter if you have the space. They prefer calm water, but as this is perfect mosquito-breeding habitat, we add some tiny fish known as Gambusia, which love to eat mosquito larvae: