2017 IWGS New Waterlily Competition

This year marked the second year that the International Waterlily and Water Garden Society (IWGS)’s New Waterlily Competition was held at its new home — Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The entries were submitted from hybridizers worldwide to compete in three categories: hardy, intersubgeneric (ISG) and tropical. In addition to these categories, there was also a Best Overall award.

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]>> Image Gallery | See All Waterlily Images from the IWGS Competition[/box]

It was also special year where, as part of the 2017 IWGS Symposium, the attendees were able to visit Longwood Gardens to view these entries in an area outside public view. They were also asked to vote for a People’s Choice Award.

 All entries were grown under the supervision of Longwood Gardens’ senior gardener, Tim Jennings. A total of 27 entries across the three categories reached blooming size in time to be judged in late October and early November.

We would like to thank Tim and Longwood Gardens for their support in hosting the IWGS New Waterlily Competition. A special thank you also goes out to display design intern Olivia Fow for her photography of all the waterlilies you see here.

Finally, we would also like to thank the judges for their time, support and contribution to this competition. The panel this year consisted of 12 experienced growers and industry experts from around the world.

• Brian Galligan (Naples Botanical Garden, United States)
• Farley See (Moore Water Gardens, Canada)
• Iain MacGregor (Water Garden Life, Australia)
• James Allison (Aquapic, United Kingdom)
• James Bennett (Bennetts Water Gardens, United Kingdom)
• John Loggins (Lone Star Aquatic Nursery, United States)
• Mark Wilson (Any Pond Limited, United Kingdom)
• Paula Biles (About The Lotus, United States)
• Rich Sacher (American Aquatic Gardens, United States)
• Richard Gallehawk (Dorset Water Lily Co, United Kingdom)
• Rolf Nelson (Nelson Water Gardens, United States)
• Séverine Lyssens-Danneboom (Agua, Belgium)

The results for the 2017 IWGS New Waterlily Competition are as follows:

Best Overall New Waterlily

Nymphaea ‘Jakkaphong’ by Jakkaphong Sung-ngam (Thailand)

Best New Hardy Waterlily

First Place: Nymphaea ‘Jakkaphong’ by Jakkaphong Sung-ngam (Thailand)

Second Place: Nymphaea ‘Arrakis’ by Florian Henaux (France)

Third Place: Nymphaea ‘Tian Ci’ by Shu-Juan (China)

Best New Tropical Waterlily

First Place: Nymphaea ‘Amethyst Mist’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries (United States)

Second Place: Nymphaea ‘T0117’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries (United States)

Third Place: Nymphaea ‘T0217’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries (United States)

Best New Intersubgeneric (ISG) Waterlily

First Place: Nymphaea ‘Pink Silk’ by Jakkaphong Sung-ngam (Thailand)

Second Place: Nymphaea ‘Princesse Leia’ by Florian Henaux (France)

Third Place: Nymphaea ‘ISG0117’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries (United States)

People’s Choice Award (tie)

Nymphaea ‘Muttasindh’ by Nopchai Chansilpa (Thailand) and Nymphaea ‘Tian Ci’ by Shu-Juan (China)

The IWGS New Waterlily Competition committee members will now begin preparation for the 2018 IWGS New Waterlily Competition. We look forward to seeing a lot of exciting new hybrids in the year ahead!