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.  

A real peach of a lily this one. It is one of my all time favourite water lilies. The colour is just sensational! Anyone coming across a young 'Peachglow' for the first time could be forgiven for thinking it's just another excellent yellow. It is not until plants mature that the true glory comes through.

The first flowers of each season carry little if any of the peach hues. These gradually become apparent with each successive flower. Here in the U.K. plants only take on their true peach for a few short weeks at the height of summer. Something really worth waiting for! Sadly by late summer they return to being just a wonderful yellow.

The flowers of this hybrid are exceptionally large for lily of moderate spread and are often nearly as big as the leaves. They also stand exceptionally high above the foliage for a hardy lily, although this does depend on the maturity of the plant. A fully mature stand of this hybrid viewed at the height of summer has to be seen to be believed. Truly awesome! 'Clyde Ikins' on steroids!!!!!!!!!

Flowers are produced in great profusion from early in the season right through until the first frosts of autumn. They also stay open much later than most hardy lilies, often into early evening.