Water Gardening

Close-up of a purple water lily with yellow center against dark background.

2022 IWGS Symposium Scheduled for August 24-28

The 2022 International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) Symposium is coming back as a live, in-person event from Aug. 24 – 28 in Naples, Florida. This is a special symposium, as we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the New Waterlily Competition. The three-day event features educational seminars, guided tours of the Naples Botanic

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Beautiful aquatic plants showcased at Denver Botanic Gardens pond.

Aquatic Plant Design on Display at Denver Botanic Gardens

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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Serene pond featuring water lilies, rocks, and lush surrounding plants.

Creative Planting Options Around the Pond

New water features are exciting and always enhance a property — but the gardens that accompany them are often the real show-stoppers that can put the entire scene over the top!  Start with the consideration of vertical elements. Would a deciduous tree (or several of them) be desirable to provide shade, shelter and nesting sites

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Group photo of 2020 Water Artisans of the Year judges.

Meet the Judges of the Fifth Supreme Stream Court

This year’s submissions were presented blindly to a panel of seven industry experts to determine winners and runners-up in five categories (Best Pondless, Most Naturalistic, Best Under $15k, Ponds by Night, and Fountains & Formal Features). In order to be considered eligible, projects must have been completed between Nov. 1, 2019 and Nov. 1, 2020.

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Scenic pond with waterfalls, rocks, and lush plants for pond trade.

5th Annual Water Artisans of the Year Contest Results

In a year that kicked off with an unprecedented sense of optimism, 2020 quickly let us down in a lot of different ways. “Good riddance!” we cried in December, as we bid adieu to a year riddled with isolation, hardship and disappointment. Well, we’ve got good news. 2020 wasn’t all bad. As you will see,

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Beautiful pink water lily blooming on pond surface with green lily pads.

Unique Varieties of Lotus, Iris & Waterlily

So, you’ve just created and built an amazing showcase pond, complete with the best waterfalls and master stonework. Why would you just throw in some random green plants when you could integrate some standout plants and flowers that other installers often overlook? Your water garden will have everyone talking! I find it amazing that some

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Heron with fish in beak in pond environment.

How to Keep Herons from Attacking Fish

 While all of us love critters and wildlife, in general, we have to keep pond predators like herons away from our beloved koi and goldfish. This video from Foisy Aquatics provides 10 methods to keep herons away from your pond, and this issue can be a great reason to connect with customers and discuss

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Colorful water garden with variegated foliage and blooming lotus flowers.

Variegated and Colored Foliage for Water Gardens

Plants with colored foliage are a luxury, an anomaly, and quite often, just the right splash of color or contrast to make magic happen. There are several ways they can effectively transform a display. 
Foliage, by any definition, has the ability to shape a landscape with its color, form or shape. Botanically speaking, variegated foliage

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Colorful waterlilies blooming on a pond surface with lily pads.

‘Waterlily Timeline’ Adds New Aesthetic to D.C. Building

In summer 2018, Darren DeStefano, a horticulturist at the General Services Administration (GSA) Public Building Service National Capital Region, and Claro Rodriguez from Plant or Transplant collaborated with me to create the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s now prominent waterlily feature. DeStefano designed a feature that is equal parts reflection, color and simplicity. Rodriguez

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