Following the waterlilies through history, art and imagination By Rip Sokol, Fourth Generation Nursery Winning a silent auction at the 2024 International Waterlily & Water Garden Symposium turned into one of the most memorable horticultural journeys of my career. The prize was a five-night stay at the guest house at Latour-Marliac in Le Temple-sur-Lot in […]
A Pilgrimage to Latour-Marliac Read More »
The 2026 Waterlily Weigh-Off, led by Denver Botanic Gardens, will take place August 17-26 and the winner will be announced on August 28. The global competition challenges an impressive list of public gardens and zoos around the world to see how much weight their Victoria waterlily leaves can hold. The 2025 competition had more than
2026 Waterlily Weigh-Off to Take Place August 17-26 Read More »
Every single consultation we go on as professionals is a shot at solving someone’s problems. In this heartwarming project, we were challenged to unwrap a complex set of needs and bring the joy of water to an autistic adult named Brian and his mother, Linda. I recently had the honor of working on a project
More Than a Splash Pad: Designing Water for Safety, Sensory Needs and Joy Read More »
Why shallow water plants matter When you picture a beautiful pond, what do you think of? Water lilies in bloom. A bubbling stream. Reflections of blue skies and green trees. Bright fish moving below the waterline. Behind that picture-perfect scene, something else is happening—quietly, at the water’s edge. The Overlooked Zone That Does the Heavy
The Power of the Pond Edge: Shallow Water Plants Read More »
Let’s focus on hocus pocus. In recent years, even those who possess no magical powers have become familiar with some aspect of the wizarding world. Muggles everywhere recognize the name Potter. Some are even well acquainted with wizarding schools such as Hogwarts and the curriculum they offer. While courses such as “Spells and Charms” and
Sorcery in the Secret Garden: How to Create Magic in the Landscape Read More »
The pond hobby’s gateway drug or valid small-space alternative? The backyard pond, with its beauty and tranquility, is on the wish list of many a homeowner. But the required space, excavation, upkeep and expense drives many away from this dream. And what of those in apartments with just a window, or a condo/townhome with just
In an increasingly urbanised and technology-driven world, opportunities for children to connect meaningfully with nature are becoming increasingly limited. In Australia, school environments are often constrained by safety, structure, and space, leaving fewer opportunities for unstructured exploration and discovery. Yet it is often these experiences of interacting with water, observing wildlife, and learning through curiosity
Building a Living Classroom: The Kallangur State Primary School Ecosystem Pond Project Read More »
A long-standing international benchmark The International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) has announced the results of the 2025 New Waterlily Competition (NWC), held for the 27th time since its launch in 1997. Over the past nearly three decades, the competition has generated more than 200 entries and remains one of the most anticipated annual
IWGS Announces Results of the 2025 New Waterlily Competition Read More »
Planting within and around natural water features and fountainscapes can be one of the most impactful and rewarding phases of any project. Whether contemporary or naturalistic, small or expansive, plants play essential roles in both the function and beauty of a living water ecosystem. Functionally, plants help keep water clean by absorbing nutrients that algae
How Thoughtful Planting Transforms Water Features Read More »
Why mismanaged cattails quietly destroy water quality If you are serious about healthy, clear, low-maintenance lakes, bogs are not optional — they are essential. A properly designed and maintained bog is the closest thing you will ever have to a self-running, self-cleaning water quality system. Most people underestimate them, and that misunderstanding is exactly why
Bogs: The Unsung Powerhouse of Lake Maintenance Read More »
