Welcome to the IWGS
The International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) is a non-profit organization of multinational membership dedicated to the furtherance of all aspects of water gardens and their associated plants. As an organization we support and promote education, research, and conservation in these areas.
We encourage you to become involved with the IWGS activities. It's a great way to learn, network, and help the Society.
2010 IWGS Symposium Sponsors
Click on the sponsor banner to go to their website.
Rolf Nelson invites all to discuss the Texas White List at the IWGS September Symposium.
The Texas White List has passed legislation. Jan 1, 2011 most all aquatic plants will be banned in Texas unless species or varieties can now be added to the new “White List”. Unless marked on approved white list waterlilies and other aquatics will be banned from even owning within state lines. I stopped by Nelson’s Water Gardens in mid June and taped this short overview with Rolf for the IWGS symposium.
Special Thanks to Rolf Nelson & Nelson’s Water Gardens for efforts far beyond the video.
Special thanks also go out to Zac DeGarmeaux for creating, editing and posting this video to educate so many people.
The 2nd Quarter Journal Is Online Now In The Members Only Section
The password for this year has changed to access the journals. Receive the new passwords from the Executive Director upon renewing you membership.
If you have already paid your dues then contact the Executive Director at
We have a new Nelumbo Registrar 
The IWGS is pleased to announce the appointment of Daike Tian Ph. D. as the new Nelumbo registrar. Dr. Tian received his master’s degree from Kunming Institute of Botany, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China in September 1999. His work focused on horticultural studies on Begonia versicolor. In August 2008 he received his Ph. D. from Auburn University in Alabama USA. His dissertation was called "Container production and post-harvest handling of lotus (Nelumbo) and micropropagation of herbaceous peony (Paeonia)."
Dr. Tian is currently a professor at South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Guangzhou, China. He is concentrating on the introduction, evaluation, breeding of ornamental plants especially lotus, Alpinia, Begonia and Hibiscus cinnamomifolius.
He is working towards creating an international lotus database which will compile lotus history, morphology, physiology, taxonomy, lotus insects, identification, breeding, cultivation, culture and uses for all cultivars around the world.
Legislative Alert
Texas White List
Follow the above link to become informed on the latest threat to our chances of enjoying the wonderful world of waterlilies.
Lily Fest and IWGS Waterlily Festival 2010
Below is the final registration form and symposium information.
It links to a 4.5 Mb pdf to download. Click on the image below.
International Waterlily Collection
The International Waterlily Collection has been designated by the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society as a premiere collection of lilies in existence.
Join us in San Angelo, Texas on September 17th - 19th of 2010 for Lily Fest and the IWGS Waterlily Festival. This is the annual celebration of all things grown in this incredible collection. This will be the event of the century. Over 200 species and cultivars will be on display for the largest viewing of its kind. It will be an event the likes of which that has never been seen. We will have plants that you cannot see anywhere else. Please join us, make some friends, see an incredible collection and have some great Texas cooking and hospitality in the Lone Star State. Make your vacation plans now.
IWGS Waterlily Festival 2010 document with more details.
Register by July 15, 2010 for just $199 a person.
After 7/15/10 registration will be $249 a person.
Agenda is preliminary and subject to change.
Corporate Sponsorship Banner Placements Available.
IWGS Water Garden Journals
Get a glimpse at what you have been missing over the past 25 years if you are not a member.
See the covers. See the table of contents.
In the near future we expect to be able to make some of the articles from the past 25 years available online to members.
History of the New Waterlily Competition
Follow the link to get a little history lesson in the New Waterlily Competitions throughout the years.
The 1st International Conference on Lotus, Waterlily and Aquatic Plants to be held at Kasetsart University in Thailand on October 20 - 22, 2010.
Complete details may be found at http://kurecoil.project.ku.ac.th/
or by contacting Associate Professor Dr. Niran Juntawong through that website.
Pairat Songpanich CD
Pairat Songpanich CD detailing information on the creation of Nymphaea 'Siam Blue Hardy'
For sale to members. This is an informative resource and an entertaining hour long show.
Hybridizing Waterlilies: State of the Art by Richard Sacher
Learn the methods to create your own wonderful hybrids through techniquies that have been perfected over the last 100 years by the masters of the Art.
A quote from Richard in the booklet...“Our combined work adds up to more than one hundred years of trial and error, success and failure, and most importantly, accumulated wisdom. I am presenting this information in straightforward language so that anyone interested in hybridizing waterlilies can use it, regardless of having or not having a formal background in botany or horticulture.”
The Lotus: Know It and Grow It by Kelly Billing and Paula Biles "What a beautiful booklet … all the photographs, the amount of information, and the clarity of writing. … It's definitely the most compact and informative booklet on lotus there is."
Thai Certified Collection The IWGS, along with the King Rama IX Public Park, is pleased to announce the creation of the newest IWGS Certified Collection of Waterlilies and Lotus. This collection will be housed in the ponds of the King Rama IX Public Park in Bangkok, Thailand . The Collection has been sponsored by IWGS members and additional growers and hybridizers from around the world.
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International Waterlily Collection
Agenda is preliminary and subject to change.
History of the New Waterlily Competition
Hybridizing Waterlilies: State of the Art by Richard Sacher Learn the methods to create your own wonderful hybrids through techniquies that have been perfected over the last 100 years by the masters of the Art.
A quote from Richard in the booklet...“Our combined work adds up to more than one hundred years of trial and error, success and failure, and most importantly, accumulated wisdom. I am presenting this information in straightforward language so that anyone interested in hybridizing waterlilies can use it, regardless of having or not having a formal background in botany or horticulture.”
The Lotus: Know It and Grow It by Kelly Billing and Paula Biles "What a beautiful booklet … all the photographs, the amount of information, and the clarity of writing. … It's definitely the most compact and informative booklet on lotus there is." Thai Certified Collection The IWGS, along with the King Rama IX Public Park, is pleased to announce the creation of the newest IWGS Certified Collection of Waterlilies and Lotus. This collection will be housed in the ponds of the King Rama IX Public Park in Bangkok, Thailand . The Collection has been sponsored by IWGS members and additional growers and hybridizers from around the world.
