2008 Waterlily Competition Winners

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 and Tamara L Kilbane

A red CD has been placed in the measurement photos for scale and a yard stick for scale of the whole plant

Waterlilies with an h after the number are hardy waterlilies and waterlilies with a t 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 Ultra Violet

Ultra Violet 3T

Second Best Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea 'Virginia McLane '

Virginia McLane 4

Best New Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea 'John Wedgwood'

hybridized by Andreas Protopaps

'John Wedgwood'3H

Second best Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea 'Cliff Tiffany'

hybridized by Fourth Generation Nuresry

'Cliff Tiffany'2H

Other Entries

Unnamed Pink Luster Aquatic Nursery 7T

Florida Aquatics #4207 8T

The IWGS would like to recognize Sarah P Duke Gardens and their enormous efforts for the 2008Waterlily 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.

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 2008 Waterlily Competition a success.