A creation by Dr Kirk Strawn in 1996, this popular hardy waterlily has a strong fragrance, and is considered one of the Dr's best creations. It also has an interesting story behind it, as taken here from the International Waterlily Collection site.

 

"The following is a story heard by many throughout the years. Clyde loved to talk about Clyde. That is, Clyde Ikins loved to talk about Nymphaea ‘Clyde Ikins’. If it had not been for Clyde’s visit to Strawn Water Gardens in College Station, the plant Clyde would never have made it. Clyde loved to tell the story about one day when he had gone to College Station to visit his good friend, Dr. Kirk Strawn. Kirk was showing him around the place, including the latest plants in his ongoing hybridization efforts. Kirk pointed to one plant that he had discarded, saying that he was throwing it out; he did not like it. Clyde replied that he thought that the flower was pretty, and that Kirk should keep the plant. Kirk said he not only would keep the plant, but that he would name it after Clyde. Thanks to that visit and Clyde’s chance comment, today we enjoy the very popular Nymphaea ‘Clyde Ikins’! Not only has it thrived, it is one of the Texas Superstar plants named by the Texas A. & M. Agriculture Program"

When planting out your waterlily rhizome, we suggest planting out in a normal squat pot, which can sit comfortably in your pond or waterbowl. Half fill your pot with a good quality top soil and a half a handful of nutricote or your preferred waterlily fertiliser (ensure that the fertiliser has no added wetting agents). Plant your lily and gently cover with top soil until the pot is filled about an inch from the top of the pot. The cover the surface with a small washed rock, approximately 5-10mm in size. Submerge the pot into your pond or waterbowl so that the longest leaf can float comfortably on the surface.

Hardy Waterlilies will need somewhere between 5-6 hours of sun at a minimum per day, and a growing space of approximately 25cm - 1m deep. (or 20-30cm for miniature waterlilies).

When deciding where to place your pot in the water feature - pond, pot or dam - ensure to pick a place with no waterfalls or fountains. Waterlilies and many other water plants of not like to have their leaves splashed continuously. Gentle moving water will be ok for most, but try to pick quiet area in the water garden.

Also when picking a place for your nymphaea in the watergarden, be aware of what may fall into it. Waterlilies and many other water plants will not do well with an excess of tannins, especially from gum trees, in the water. If the levels are too high it could damage your water plant or even cause the death of the plant.

Once you have chosen an appropriate spot, place your pot into your water garden with the longest leaf floating above the water. It is essential that some of the leaves are floating on the top of the water so that the plant can photosynthesize and grow.

 

The colder the climate, the more sun you waterlily will require. In the top end of Australia, you nymphaea may need only 4-5 hours of sun per day, whilst in southern Australia, it is suggested that at least 5-6 hours are required as a minimum. As a general rule, keep them in as much sun as possible!

Growing seasons are also dependent on climate. Here in the top end of Australia, with more hot and humid climates, waterlilies will grow all year round! This is why Territory Exotics and Watergardens has waterlilies for sale all year!

In colder climates, such as Southern Australia, you must be prepared that your waterlily will go dormant during the winter months, and may lose its leaves. You can expect growth seasons to be around October to April, and this is where your waterlily will produce its stunning flowers! This continues during warmer months, usually finishing up around April for hardy waterlillies.

 

Feed your waterlily with 2 agriform tablets every 6 weeks throughout its growth season. In warmer climates, where nymphaea grows all year around, this means keeping up to date with your fertiliser all year also! However in colder climates, start your fertilisation just before the growth season begins, around August, and continue adding fertiliser until February or March.

 

As always, keep green algae to a minimum in your pond by simply scooping it out of the water when there is excessive build up. Continue to scoop the algae out until your pond finds its natural balance as your waterplant continues to grow. We suggest avoiding the use of chemicals or cleaners, however if you are concerned about the health of your pond, consult with a pond specialist in your area.

When you purchase with us you are purchasing the rhizome, or root system, of the plant you have purchased. We send you this via express post to ensure it has the minimum amount of time in postage as possible. These items can survive in the post for up to 4-5 days only. Therefore we send your item on the following Monday after your purchase (this ensure the item is not sitting in the post over the weekend!).

You should then receive your item anywhere between 1-3 days following that Monday, at the latest it should arrive on a Thursday. It is essential that to keep your waterplant happy and healthy, you pick it up immediately and plant it out as soon as possible! Please see planting out instructions in your chosen plant’s information on our website.

Please know that items that are not picked up within the appropriate timeframe may forfeit possibility of replacement or refund. We want the best possible outcome for your waterplant, and in order to ensure that we must keep it out of the post as long as possible! So please keep this in mind when purchasing your plant – purchase only at a time when you can be available to plant it out as soon as it arrives!

If for any reason your waterplant has not met the standards you would expect from the information provided, please contact us and we will work with you to come up with a solution!

However, please remember that our water plants are posted on Monday’s only to ensure that you can pick your waterplant up before the weekend. If you fail to plant out your waterplant on the same day or next day of its arrival at your home or post office, then you understand that the plant may not be refunded or replaced.