James Knock, who lives in the United Kingdom, has been a dedicated collector of Strawn waterlily cultivars for many years and is an expert in their identification and cultivation. Most cultivars were obtained directly from Strawn Water Gardens in the years 1994 through 1998.

In these galleries, James takes us through seasonal and age related changes in coloration of many Strawn cultivars. High summer in England, sometimes only two to three weeks long, provides the most dramatic colors of all, often not seen in other climates. None of the images have been color enhanced or color adjusted.  

One of only two white creations from Kirk, but what a white! This hybrid produces huge white blooms of a unique shape. They open exceptionally wide with very broad, wax-like petals. These are then set off beautifully by the equally impressive golden centre. When viewed from a distance the flowers sit like a flotilla of pure white ocean liners. Stunning!

At the height of summer, first day flowers open with a gorgeous hint of peach, particularly noticeable at the base of each petal. Although this is a large variety, in comparison with other large whites it has a modest spread.

Unfortunately this is a little known variety, which already seems to be in danger of being lost to cultivation. It is free flowering and simply must be preserved for the future, though care will have to be taken to grow it only from rhizome as it sets masses of viable seed.