IWGS announces 2012 waterlily winners

Manee Red

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 under the supervision of aquatic horticulturist, Tamara Kilbane. Entries from around the world were judged from Sept. 14- 20, 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
-Second Best New Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, U.S.
-First Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Manee Red’ by Pairat Songpanich, Thailand
-Second Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Pink Pom Pom’ by Tony Moore, U.S.
-First Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries
-Second Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Sand Pearl’ by Lonestar Aquatic Nursery, U.S.
-First Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, U.S.
-Second Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Florida Aquatic Nurseries’ Deep Purple’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries

Results of the People’s Choice Awards include:
-First Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Pink Pom Pom’ by Tony Moore, U.S.
-Second Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Razzberry’ by Tony Moore, U.S.
-First Place Tropical Waterlily: Unnamed by Lonestar Aquatic Nursery, U.S.
-Second Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries
-First Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Florida Aquatic Nurseries’ Deep Purple’ by Florida Aquatic Nurseries
-Second Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’ by Mike Giles, U.S.

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.