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 events in aquatic horticulture.
The NWC continues to serve as a global platform for evaluating new waterlily hybrids, recognizing advancements in breeding, performance and ornamental value across the water gardening industry.
Global participation and categories
The 2025 competition included contestants representing five countries, with new waterlily hybrids submitted in four categories: hardy, hardy intersubgeneric (ISG), tropical day-blooming and tropical night-blooming.
To ensure appropriate growing conditions for each class, the competition was divided between two cultivation sites. Hardy and hardy ISG waterlilies were grown at Latour-Marliac in France by grower Francisco Lopez. Tropical day-blooming and tropical night-blooming entries were cultivated at Naples Botanical Garden in Florida by grower Matt Herrman.
This dual-location model supports more accurate evaluation by allowing each category to be grown in climates suited to its growth habits and performance.
Judging process and evaluation
Entries were judged using images provided by both growers and hybridizers, along with brief plant descriptions submitted during registration. An international panel evaluated each submission based on flower quality, foliage, overall impression and uniqueness of the plant.
The 2025 judging panel included professional waterlily growers, botanic garden specialists, hybridizers and experienced hobbyists:
- Tomás Escribano, IWGS board of directors, Spain
- Marc Hachadourian, New York Botanical Garden, United States
- Steve Hampson, United States
- Andre Leu, international director, Regeneration International, Australia
- Marco Millet, IWGS board of directors, Mexico
- Rolf Nelson, owner, Nelson Water Gardens & Nursery, United States
- Richard Sacher, hybridizer, United States
- Jon Sander, aquatic horticulturist, Glenstone Museum, United States
- Jimmy Smith, Atlanta Botanic Garden, United States
- John Sou, Water Garden Paradise, Australia
Best overall new waterlily
The Best Overall New Waterlily award was presented to Nymphaea ‘Prueksakan’ by Arun Kobkaew of Thailand. The cultivar also earned top honors in the tropical day-blooming category.
Hardy waterlilies
First place: Nymphaea ‘Phoenixes’ by Li Xiao (China)
Second place: Nymphaea ‘I Love You’ by Timo Gabriel (Germany)
Hardy intersubgeneric (ISG) waterlilies
First place: Nymphaea ‘Ramata Kane’ by Florian Henaux (France)
Second place: Nymphaea ‘Aria’ by Zijun Li (China)
Tropical night-blooming waterlilies
First place: Nymphaea ‘Prueksakan’ by Arun Kobkaew (Thailand)
Second place: Nymphaea ‘Iris’ by Somchan Treesuwan (Thailand)
Tropical Day-Blooming Waterlililes
1st – Tropical Day Blooming Waterlilies
First place: Nymphaea ‘Lucky Baby’ by Manut Aree (Thailand)
Second place: Nymphaea ‘Ruby Nocturne’ by Wachira Singong (Thailand)
Role of IWGS in aquatic plant registration
In addition to organizing the New Waterlily Competition, IWGS serves as the official registrar for the genera Nymphaea and Nelumbo. The organization maintains a global repository of information related to water gardening, cultivar registration and aquatic plant development.
Industry professionals, hybridizers and hobbyists can access educational resources, past winners and registration information through the society’s website.
Looking ahead to the 2026 competition
The IWGS is preparing for the 2026 New Waterlily Competition, which will feature entries in the following categories: hardy, hardy ISG, tropical day-flowering and tropical ISGs.
Hybridizers interested in submitting new cultivars and those seeking information on past winners are encouraged to review competition details through IWGS resources. The society also extended its thanks to the growers, hybridizers and supporting institutions whose participation made the 2025 competition possible.
About the Author
Tim Jennings is a horticulture specialty grower at Longwood Gardens and chair of teh New Waterlily Competition Committee.
