The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) is proud to announce the 2012 winners of the 15th annual New Waterlily Competition. Waterlily hybrids were grown out and photographed at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, CO under the supervision of aquatic horticulturist, Tamara Kilbane. Entries from around the world were judged from September 14th – 20th, 2012 by an international panel of aquatic plant experts. In addition, online and on-site voting was open to the public for People’s Choice Awards.
This year’s winners include:
• Best New Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries, USA
• 2nd Best New Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, USA
• 1st Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Manee Red’ by Pairat Songpanich, Thailand
• 2nd Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Pink Pom Pom’ by Tony Moore, USA
• 1st Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries, USA
• 2nd Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Sand Pearl’ by Lonestar Aquatic Nursery, USA
• 1st Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, USA
• 2nd Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Florida Aquatic Nurseries’ Deep Purple’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries, USA
Results of the People’s Choice Awards include:
• 1st Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Pink Pom Pom’ by Tony Moore, USA
• 2nd Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Razzberry’ by Tony Moore, USA
• 1st Place Tropical Waterlily: Unnamed by Lonestar Aquatic Nursery, USA
• 2nd Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries, USA
• 1st Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Florida Aquatic Nurseries’ Deep Purple’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries, USA
• 2nd Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, USA
This year’s international panel of judges consisted of James Allison of Aquapic Solutions, Craig Presnell of Luster Aquatic Nurseries, Tim Jennings of Longwood Botanical Gardens, Jim Purcell of Oregon Aquatics, Kelly Billing of Maryland Aquatic Nurseries, Stu Schuck of Charleston Aquatic Nurseries, Deb Spencer of Water’s Edge, Dave Brigante of Hughes Water Gardens, and Danny Benjamin of Hazorea Aquatics.
To view all photos of the New Waterlily Competition winners or to learn more about the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society, log onto www.iwgs.org, email info@iwgs.org, or call 540-337-4507.
**IWGS**
The International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) is a non-profit organization of multi-national membership dedicated to the furtherance of all aspects of water gardens and their associated plants. The IWGS supports and promotes education, research, and conservation in these areas and serves as the official registrar of Nymphaeaceae and Nelumbonaceae.
