Commonly referred to as "Water Lilies" these plants have adapted to living in a total water environment. The leaves of these plants are individually supported on leaf stalks called petioles. Water Lily blossoms vary greatly in color and size. Nymphaea 'Meteor' has wonderful, white-tipped, peony-like, wine-red flowers that grow up to 10 inches. It has 9 inch rounded, mid-green leaves, that are purplish-green when young. These plants do well in any size pool. They prefer full sun to partial shade, and can begin flowering in mid-June and continues to September. To stretch the blooming period, do not subject the plant to intense direct sun. Because red hardy water-lilies have such dark petals, they have a tendency to absorb too much sun, causing the petals to overheat and disintegrate. Nymphaea 'Meteor' is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10 and, can be viewed in the U.S. National Arboretum Aquatic Garden.