The Brilliance of Kirk Strawn - Gallery by James Knock

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.

James Knock's Tribute
to the
Brilliance of Kirk Strawn

Photos & Notes © James Knock, www.fishponds.com - Click images to enlarge

Nymphaea 'Mayla' 1993

If your looking for subtlety in a lily, then I suggest you look away now. Where do I start? Well, apart from the fact that it's totally awesome, this has to be one of, if not THE, most striking hardy lilies available.

The colour of 'Mayla's' flowers set it apart from almost any other hardy lily. (See 'Celebration' also.) Fully mature specimens have the most superb double fuschia pink blooms imaginable. As if this weren't enough, they are set off by a mass of very long bright orange stamens. Simply gorgeous.

In order to appreciate the true glory of this hybrid, I should point out that it's a real monster at heart. It has a running rootstock (odorata) and for this reason requires a very large container to do it justice. It grows exceptionally well in natural ponds where its roots have total freedom. When established, the leaves can be well in excess of 30cm (12") in diameter, so definitely not one for the tub garden.

The first blooms on young plants can be a bit disappointing as they are often rather pale, but as the plant matures so does the flower intensity. The flower form also changes over this time from almost cup shaped to rather stellate.

Early in the season

Mature, after dull weather

The level of available sunlight can also have a marked effect on the flower colour. Here in the U.K. we often get spells of cool overcast weather. This causes great variation from one bloom to the next.

This is one of the most highly scented lilies I know. No need to stick your nose into a flower - you can actually smell it from quite a distance. Very pleasant it is too. Once fully established this is one of the most free flowering odorata type water lilies available.

Subtle it may not be, but what a wonderful hybrid. One of Kirk's masterpieces!!!!!!

A baby

In summer

In the rain

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Strawn by Knock Introduction | Gallery Index Complete 300K
For shorter downloads:
N. 'Barbara Davies' through N. 'Clyde Ikins' | N. 'Colorado' through N. 'Liou'
N. 'Little Sue' through N. 'Pink Pumpkin' | N. 'Pink Sparkle' through N. 'Yuh Ling'

N. 'Mayla' by other photographers

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