2007 Waterlily Competition

The following new Waterlily hybrids have been grown out at The Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. The official judges panel voted between August 15th-17th.

All photos provided by John K. Wyman – Photographer

A red CD has been placed in the measurement photos for scale

Waterlilies A & E are hardy waterlilies and the remainder are tropical

Click on image for multiple views, mouse over right side of image and click for next photo and left side for previous

Best New Waterlily and Best New Tropical Waterlily:
Nymphaea 'Suwanna'

hybridized by Ms Kanchana Kokhakanin (Kathy)

Suwanna Waterlily Q Suwanna Waterlily Q

Second Best Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea 'Pam Wilson'

hybridized by Charles Winch (managed by Noelene Pullen)

Pam Wilson Waterlily K Pam Wilson Waterlily K

Best New Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea 'Miss Siam'

hybridized by Pairat Songpanich

Miss Siam Waterlily A Miss Siam Waterlily A

Second best Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea 'John Wedgwood'

hybridized by Andreas Protopapas

John Wedgwood Waterlily E John Wedgwood Waterlily E

Other Entries

Southern Charm Waterlily F Southern Charm Waterlily F Rachel Presnell Waterlily G Rachel Presnell Waterlily G


Darcy Presnell Waterlily H Darcy Presnell Waterlily H LAN WC2 Reflex Waterlily I LAN WC2 Reflex Waterlily I


Jennifer Presnell Waterlily J Jennifer Presnell Waterlily J Lemon Sorbet Waterlily L Lemon Sorbet Waterlily L


Goddess Waterlily M Goddess Waterlily M Margaret Edwards Waterlily N Margaret Edwards Waterlily N


Sunset Waterlily O Sunset Waterlily O Cooee Waterlily P Cooee Waterlily P


The voting for the People's Choice Awards at Sarah P Duke Gradens has now closed and we have tallied the votes. We had over 800 total votes cast using ballots, online voting, or the guide by cell program - a good turnout!
The winners are as follows:

Best New Hardy Waterlily: 'Miss Siam' - 140 total votes

Second Best Hardy: 'John Wedgwood' - 133 total votes

Best New Tropical Waterlily: 'Margaret Edwards' - 129 total votes

Second Best Tropical: 'Southern Charm' - 116 total votes

For more complete details on the People's Choice Awards at Duke Gardens please click Here

The IWGS would like to recognize Sarah P Duke Gardens and their enormous efforts for the 2007 Waterlily Competition.

Duke Gardens is a public non-profit botanical garden with no admission fees that is supported by public donations. They are affiliated with Duke University and had over 300,000 visitors to their gardens in 2006. The visitors are presently enjoying a beautiful display of waterlilies in the 40,000 gallon Virtue Peace Pond. They grow the hybrid Longwood Victoria, Euryale ferox, and about 30+ other varieties of waterlilies, as well as an array of marginal aquatics. They also maintain two other ponds that contain a broad range of waterlilies and marginal plants.

Their staff includes qualified, experienced waterlily growers, including Tamara Kilbane. Tamara has six years of experience working in the water gardening industry. She is also a freelance garden writer and photographer who has published articles promoting the New Waterlily Contest. John Wyman has been growing waterlilies for 12 years and works as a volunteer at Duke Gardens, where he started the waterlily program in 1997. He also works as a professional photographer. Both are qualified to grow the new hybrids for the IWGS, take quality photos, and support this IWGS effort. These professionals are also assisted by several Duke Gardens interns, the rest of the Duke Gardens Staff, and several volunteers. They are all serious about making this competition a success every year. This year is such an example.

In their support of the competition, they have performed considerably more work for the IWGS than was requested. For example, they've had several articles in local newspapers on the work in the ponds (the latest one was specific to the IWGS contest). They also give classes to interested visitors on what they do, how they do it, and why the IWGS contest is so much fun. The next class will take place in the water of the Virtue Peace Pond on August 18th 2007. The IWGS contest will be a highlight of this class.

Also above and beyond the call of duty, they have an exhibit in Washington DC this summer at the US Botanical Garden, and have included a small display pond with information highlighting their work with the IWGS for this contest.

They have proven they are a well-qualified and motivated team. The IWGS give their whole hearted thanks to Sarah P Duke Botanical Gardens and their staff for making the IWGS 2007 Waterlily Competition a success.