Charlene Strawn (Hardy Water-lily) – Soft Cream-and-Blush Blooms for Tranquil Ponds (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free; Non-Native Cultivar)

Description

A softly romantic water-lily with gently blushed, cream-to-apricot petals that deepen towards the centre – Chalene Straw is one of those varieties that looks as if it’s caught the last light of evening in its petals. Blooms float just above the water, opening wide to reveal a warm yellow heart surrounded by creamy-white outer layers.

This compact, free-flowering lily is perfect for small to medium wildlife ponds and pre-formed pools, rewarding you with abundant blooms from June to September. Flowers reach around 10-12 cm across, with a spread of 60-90 cm – giving a balanced canopy of shade and shelter without overtaking smaller spaces.

Where it thrives
Light: Full sun (5-6+ hrs daily)
Water/Depth: Still water; final depth 25-40 cm over the crown (start shallower and lower gradually)
Setting: Ideal for barrels, small ponds, and sheltered shelf areas of larger ponds.

Planting & care

Stage the depth: Begin at 15-20 cm over the crown in spring; lower as pads reach the surface until 25-40 cm.

Keep away from waterfalls, fountains, or heavy flow. Lilies are lovers of calm, still water and steady sunshine.

Tidy yellowing leaves and spent blooms through summer; divide and replant every 3-5 years in spring if overcrowded.

No fertilisers or pesticides – top up with rainwater where possible to keep the pond chemistry gentle.

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only; not for consumption. Keep removed plant material and sediment out of natural watercourses.

Truth-first wildlife note:
Pads provide shelter for pondlife and cooling shade for tadpoles and fish; flowers attract beetles and hoverflies on warm, still days. Best paired with native oxygenators and marginals to create balance and biodiversity.

Joel says…
“‘Chalene Straw’ is one of those understated gems – not loud or brash, just quietly beautiful. Perfect for keeping the pond light, airy, and wildlife-happy.”