Nymphaea Charlene Strawn

Nymphaea 'Charlene Strawn' is considered the most fragrant of hardy water lilies. It is a large plant with abundant foliage, and its large, light yellow flowers with a tropical appearance rise majestically above the surface. The leaves of this water lily are round, adorned with reddish-brown spots that fade over the season. This variety blooms earlier and longer than most hardy water lilies. It is suitable for large bodies of water, with its rhizomes planted at a depth of 40cm to 1m. Its stylized and fragrant flowers can be used in centerpieces.

Nymphaea 'Charlene Strawn' is a horticultural creation by Robert Kirk Strawn (U.S.A) dating back to 1993. The breeder named this pleasantly scented flower after his wife, which says a lot! This hardy hybrid is the result of cross-breeding between Nymphaea mexicana and N. odorata.  This variety is a aquatic perennial with deciduous foliage that belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. The plant develops numerous floating leaves measuring 16 to 25cm in diameter in mature plants starting from spring. The leaves are round with an open sinus. When young, they are heavily maculated with reddish-brown and gradually turn green while retaining brownish spots. The plant spreads on average up to 1.25m (up to 1.50m). Flowering sometimes begins as early as May and continues until October. The double flowers with pointed petals are highly fragrant and measure between 14 and 25cm in diameter. They have slender, long yellow stamens, similar to tropical varieties. Furthermore, they open on brownish peduncles, 10 to 15cm above the surface. These corollas open during the day and close at night. Each flower lasts 4 to 5 days before wilting, then it submerges underwater and is replaced by another flower. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits containing numerous seeds. The fruit ripens underwater and releases floating seeds that eventually sink and germinate in the mud. Water lilies are hardy as long as their rhizomes do not freeze in winter. It is important to ensure that the water does not freeze at the depth where they are planted.

Choose varieties of water lilies that are easy, hardy, and floriferous, and above all, ones that are proportionate to your pond. With their perfectly shaped flowers, Nymphaeas are among the most beautiful perennial pond plants. Most of them bloom for long weeks, until early autumn. Water lilies are essential aquatic plants for maintaining the balance of a garden pond, as they contribute to water oxygenation. Their leaves floating on the water's surface provide shade and shelter for your fish, which, in return, protect them from predatory insects like aphids.

The genus name comes from the Greek nymphaia and the Latin name nymphaea, which means "water lily". They were inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology. Nymphaea produces flowers that are sometimes diurnal, sometimes nocturnal, and occasionally fragrant.