It was Kirk’s wife, Charlene who had always dreamed of her own pond and water lilies, that brought Kirk to us. About 20 years ago at their present home she paid their eldest son to dig a pond at the back óf their house.

Kirk become so interested in growing and over-wintering water lilies that in next few years with his customary energy and enthusiasm he started digging one pond after another on the 1 and 1 /4 acre home site. From his home he developed three new introductions, the first of these is the famous vigorous, hardy, yellow “Charlene Strawn”. “Charlene Strawn” is the all time favorite choice for beginning water gardeners. This is illustrated by the reverence that Charlene receives when someone who has grown her lily meets Charlene for the first time.

I became acquainted with Kirk in 1978, when he would come to visit Lilypons Texas. He and Rolf would sit on a pond bank their arms folded over their knees and talk until the mosquitoes had their fill. Being a young bride and not in love with water gardening yet, I could not understand what could possibly be so interesting, of course I know better now.