Tamara Kilbane is the horticulturist in charge of aquatic plants at Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado. A graduate of Oregon State University, Tamara worked for 3 years at Hughes Water Gardens in Tualatin, Oregon before moving to North Carolina in 2005 to oversee the aquatic plant displays at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC. In her current role at Denver Botanic Gardens, she maintains the aquatic plant displays and also manages the IWGS New Waterlily Competition, a contest which recognizes the best new water lilies developed by hybridizers around the world. For more information about Denver Botanic Gardens, visit www.botanicgardens.org. Visit www.iwgs.org to learn more about the IWGS new water lily competition.

Aquatic Plant Design on Display at Denver Botanic Gardens

By Tamara Kilbane / December 28, 2021 / 0 Comments

As the horticulturist who cares for the aquatic plants here at Denver Botanic Gardens, I am lucky to have a large variety of ponds to work in. More than half a million gallons of water recirculate through the main waterway at DBG, connecting a wide array of terrestrial gardens throughout our 24-acre property. In addition, […]

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The Best Waterlilies of 2015

By Tamara Kilbane / November 9, 2015 / 0 Comments

Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado served once again as the growing site for the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society’s annual New Waterlily Competition. The contest drew entries from waterlily hybridizers around the world. 20 of these new hybrids bloomed in time to be judged in mid-October. The entries were divided into the following […]

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Best Blooms: The IWGS 2014 New Waterlily Winners

By Tamara Kilbane / January 5, 2015 / 0 Comments

[box]>> For pictures of all the 2014 Waterlily winners, click here to visit POND’s Gallery Spotlight.[/box] Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver served as the growing site for the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society’s annual New Waterlily Competition, which drew 21 entries from hybridizers around the world this year. These entries were divided into the […]

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High-Altitude Hybridizing

By Tamara Kilbane / July 11, 2014 / 0 Comments

The Hudson Gardens and Event Center in Littleton, Colorado. The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society will hold its annual symposium this summer from Aug. 14 to 17 in Denver. Local hosts for the event will include Denver Botanic Gardens, Hudson Gardens and the Colorado Water Garden Society. Conference attendees will be treated to informative […]

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The Best and the Brightest: 2013 New Waterlily Competition results

By Tamara Kilbane / January 1, 2014 / 0 Comments

Ever wonder what the most beautiful waterlily in the world would look like? Well, wonder no more; the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society recently held its annual New Waterlily Competition, and POND Trade has the photos! See the best in each breathtaking category, from intersubgeneric waterlily to day-blooming tropical and everything in between.

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NYMPHAEA ‘PINK DAWN’ named 2013 Collector’s Aquatic Plant of the Year

By Tamara Kilbane / May 1, 2013 / 0 Comments

The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) announces Nymphaea ‘Pink Dawn’ as the 2013 Collector’s Aquatic Plant of the Year. This hardy waterlily boasts uniquely variegated blooms of pink and white held above leaves ranging from green to bronze in color.

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Create a Tropical Paradise for Your Customers

By Tamara Kilbane / July 1, 2012 / 0 Comments

Ever wonder what plants you should use to create that lush, tropical atmosphere in your customers’ backyard? Horticulturist Tamara Kilbane will help you create paradise by using Hibiscus and Canna. Both of these plants can live in and out of water and are exceptional in bogs and shallow water. They will add beautiful colors and foliage to make that oasis most of us only dream of.

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Nymphaea ‘Scarlet Flame’ Named 2012 Collector’s Aquatic Plant of the Year

By Tamara Kilbane / May 1, 2012 / 1 Comment

Scarlet Flame, a beautiful tropical water lily, is named Collector’s Aquatic Plant of the Year. The Collector’s Aquatic Plant of the Year is a fundraising program for IWGS. See this plant and learn more about this program.

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In Demand – Top Selling Aquatic Plants

By Tamara Kilbane / May 1, 2011 / 0 Comments

Find out what the top-selling aquatic plants in the trade are right now, and what makes them so popular? We asked a few of the top aquatic nurseries to share with us the plants that are in the highest demand. If you don’t grow or sell these plants now, you may want to consider adding them to your offerings! And what is one of the best-selling pond plants regardless of the region? – Water Hyacinth (where it is legal). Learn about this popular plant and 17 other top sellers.

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Design Scene Stealers

By Tamara Kilbane / March 1, 2011 / 0 Comments

Ever wonder what plants you should retail or add to your water feature designs? Take a look at ten wonderful show stopping aquatics that will be a hit with your customers. Learn from our horticulturist expert their names, the conditions they need and what to expect from these specimen plants.

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