Water Garden Journal 1St Quarter, 2009 Volume 24, Number 1

International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society Water Garden Journal 1st Quarter, 2009 Volume 24, Number 1

Nymphaea ‘Ultra Violet’, 2008 IWGS New Waterlily Competition Winner Page 2 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

In This Issue It’s time to plan for the

Page 2 2009 Symposium Information IWGS Web site Page 3 President’s Comments by Tish Folsom Page 3 Executive Director’s Comments by Keith Folsom Page 5 Editor’s Comments by Tim Davis Page 6 New Board Member Nominees 2009 Page 9 The Waterlily Theme In The Works Of Louis Comfort Chicago, IL., USA Tiffany by Martha Wren Briggs Symposium Page 11 2009 IWGS Waterlily Competition July 15–19, 2009 by Tim Davis and Mike Swize Page 12 Neglected Aquatics by Rowena Burns Host site and hotel is the Page 14 IWGS 2009 Symposium Pheasant Run Hotel Speakers www.pheasantrun.com Page 17 IWGS 2009 Symposium St. Charles, IL, USA Speaker Topics Recently proclaimed the Compiled by Tish Folsom “Water Garden Capital of the World” Page 18 2009 Symposium Events and Places Possible tour options include Page 23 Society Information The Chicago Botanic Gardens, Ball Seed Trial Gardens, Morton Arboretum, Field Museum, IWGS Web Site Shedd Aquarium, and a number Members Only Page of the USA’s top 100 garden centers. The members page features exclusive society Visit www.iwgs.org news, articles and online voting. The member For more information as it becomes available log on is waterlily and the password is about this great opportunity. tetragona. Members will be notified by e-mail whenever this password changes. After Contact person for our logging in, the members only page allows you 2009 Symposium is to select the current Journal and it will down- Jim Wullschleger load in a PDF format for viewing. This Journal [email protected] issue is available online in color for viewing, printing or saving. www.iwgs.org Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 3

President’s Comments Executive Director’s by Tish Folsom Comments I would like to thank Fred McCorkle for all by Keith Folsom his hard work over the last several years. As our Greetings to all of you fellow water gardeners editor, Fred has put the journal back on track for around the globe. I hope the season that you are a quarterly publication date without interrup- currently in is gearing up for a successful time tion since his hiring. Fred has prodded, poked of pond keeping, or has begun to wind down and pushed members, writers, Presidents and after a summer of beautiful flowers and vigor- Executive Directors to bring these journals to all ous fish. No matter where you are in the world, of us. Without his dedication and perseverance all seasons of water gardening offer something we would never have these publications to you interesting and exciting. I’m sure most of us on time. Thank you Fred for a job well done!!! find the summer to be the most fulfilling sea- You will be missed!!! son because that’s when we get to enjoy what With this passing of the baton, our next edi- for most of us is our true passion, the waterlily. tor introduces himself later in our journal. I While the summer has many other flowers to met Tim Davis at last year’s symposium and he enjoy, the waterlily holds a special place for us loves to work on computers and photography. all. E-mail a photo to us here at the IWGS of- I truly believe you will like the new flavor and fice or post one to the Let’s Talk Water Garden- feel of the journals. Welcome aboard Tim and ing Yahoo group (see page 4). We’d love to see feel free to call on all our members for help. what you have and I’ll bet others would like to Members, please help make his job easier by see them, too. sending in information and stories about your Recently, I read a message written by Larry own ponds or plants. We would all love to hear Nau, one of our Board of Directors’ most active about them. members (I swear this guy never sleeps, and if Our 25th Anniversary year is here and there he does, he dreams of water gardening). He was will be articles still to come about our society talking about working at a garden show with his over the years. With the editor changes and company, Bergen Water Gardens in Churchville, other timing difficulties, our original series has NY, USA. He commented, “At our recent flow- been postponed until next journal, but is being er show in Rochester not one pond was shown pursued. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Do in any landscape display, all were disappearing you have a funny or stirring story to share with fountains and waterfalls. No lilies, no aquatic our members about the society or about a sym- plants, no fish you had to come in back to see posium. Send it to the IWGS office atexecdi - me in my retail space to see true water garden- [email protected] and we will publish it or send ing.” This was an interesting observation, no on to the writers. doubt, and certainly one with a lot of truth to Our annual symposium is shaping up to be it. Is it because water gardeners have regressed a fun time in the Chicago land area. Join other back to obscurity of earlier days? I doubt that members and share your ideas, gain information is the case and I want to suggest why I believe and see some great water features and plants. pond keeping still has a lot of viability in to- Mark your calendars for July 16 to 19 and your day’s world of horticulture. I, too, have seen information is coming soon. what Larry was talking about. I have wondered Until next journal….. also why this would be. Since Larry mentioned it, I decided to ask around at a home and garden Tish show that I recently attended to see what the Page 4 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

Executive Director’s Comments by Keith Folsom guys doing the pond and fountain installations in Virginia had to say. As I had surmised from our own experience at our water garden center, the consensus was that water gardening is alive and well, just expanding in different directions other than just ponds with waterlilies and goldfish. We still have a lot of interest in the standard water garden from our customers, but just like the companies at the show, a whole new type of customer has emerged. The interest in the so-called “pondless” waterfalls and disappearing fountains has come about because our fast-paced lifestyle has us searching for a way these systems. How has this new water garden to have what we want, but in a version that fits style affected you and your business or commu- with our lives. Our modern gardener wants it nity? We are seeing schools that are concerned now, wants it easy, and is willing to pay for it. with safety considering a pondless waterfall to The reasons I have heard from our customers for help the children study stream side habitat. I wanting to do a water garden in their landscape say, whatever variant of the theme of water in is they want sound and movement, all in a great the garden is a good way of keeping interest go- focal point for their gardens. A disappearing ing for us all. fountain or pondless waterfall is a style that fits A professor of mine told us that the only that desire. What we have to do is figure out a constant in life is change, and I’m sure we have way to incorporate the plants back into this type all found this adage to be true. Even in water of garden to satisfy our plant-lover side. Your gardening, while the time honored waterlily still friends around the globe would surely love to holds an important place for us all, we need to hear from you about how you keep plants in learn new things about our craft to keep it viable and going forward. Thanks Larry for sparking my thoughts. I hope to see you in Chicago this summer. I believe everyone enjoys the posts on Let’s Talk Water Gardening Yahoo group. Maybe I’ll post the question above after this issue is out so we can hear from all of you. For those who may not have joined, below is a link to the yahoo group. You will need a yahoo Happy water gardening to you all! account and then you will sign up through this link. Very shortly after that, the moderators Keith will authorize you to access the site. Let’s Talk Water Gardening http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LetsTalkWaterGardening/ Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 5

Editor’s Comments by Tim Davis Hello to all of our wonderful members. I than I believed it to be. I even went to one of the would like to take a little space to introduce places that photographer had done some of his myself to you. work. All I saw was one inaccessible patch of My name is Tim. I was asked to take over the species waterlilies in a lake filled with alligators position of editor from Tish and Rolf to continue and numerous dead and dying Nelumbo lutea. the journals uninterrupted. For those of you who I decided to find other sources of waterlilies. are unaware, Fred McCorkle who has done an When I was not pleased in my searches locally, excellent job as the editor had a major health I decided that I would grow my own subjects issue. I won’t go into details but it will keep so that I could photograph them whenever I him out of the game for a while. Now I do not chose to do so. I got one plant. Then I got more. do copy layout for a living but I quickly grasp Then I decided to learn to propagate them. Next software so I thought I would give it a try. I decided to learn to try and hybridize them. I have a passion for photography. I have a Now as someone who had never done this, I passion for computers as well. This was the read all I could find. I met with zero success perfect marriage of related technologies. Taking for two years. I then found out that all of the pictures was always an expensive proposition beautiful waterlilies I had picked based on their for a young person. First you had to buy the looks were infertile or almost so. I learned that I film, then you had to do the photographic work, needed some species material to at least start out then you had to pay someone to develop it. If with good source material to attempt crosses. you were really into it like I was you set up a I met with success in that I created one that I darkroom and developed your own. Once again liked and my wife liked it as well. I named that this was an expensive proposition. As soon as in her honor last year. You see this simple idea digital cameras became available I got one. It became a hobby that in turn became an obses- wasn’t very good. I liken it to the quality of the sion. It occupies almost all of my free time and disc cameras back in the 80’s that had a nega- there is precious little of that. It has not hurt tive smaller than a dime. As time went on, the my marriage. If anything I think it taught me technology in the cameras continued to increase patience. When my kids were little I could not and the cost continued to drop. This allowed me deal with shoes that were tied in knots. I would to graduate up from camera to camera without tell them to have their mother help them untie it. making my wife want to divorce me. Always Now all of these years later, I will meticulously a good option in my opinion. With a computer separate pads and their stems without thought. and Photoshop, I did not need a darkroom. I did My love of photography led me down an not need equipment or chemicals. I just needed unknown path. That was the beginning of a jour- time and patience to learn some software. ney that now many years later puts me in charge I always was interested in photographing of this publication for all of you. I hope you will beautiful scenery, people etc. At some point I welcome me and help me continue down this saw a web site that had been done by a profes- path wherever it may take us. sional photographer. He had pictures on his site of waterlilies. I really liked them and decided I Tim wanted to recreate some of those types of shots. I went in search of waterlilies to photograph. As it turned out, this was much more difficult Page 6 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

New Board Member Nominees Warner Orozco-Obando I am currently in my third year of a Ph. D. tion of Hydrangeas, genotypic variation and its program at Auburn University majoring in Hor- influence on pruning practices. In addition, my ticulture. During my professional and academic different employment through various campus career, I have cultivated my interest and pas- positions allowed me to develop skills in differ- sion in different aspects related to the industry: ent micro-propagation techniques. I worked on plant rescue and conservation, environmental organogenesis of new cultivars (e.g. Hydrangea and sustainable development, and advanced and arborescens ‘Hayes Starburst’ and H. macro- conventional technology on plant propagation. phylla ‘Mini Penny’), and somatic embryogen- As a teenager, I attended a technical high esis of endangered species (Castanea dentata) school were I majored in agriculture. College and other commercial species. began at The Institute of Tech- Today, I am a part of the nology of Costa Rica where I graduate program at Auburn majored in Agronomy. Three University. At this institution, years later, I was awarded the I have the pleasure of working Central American Peace Scholar- with Ken Tilt who for years has ship and attended Georgetown been a bastion on the extension University to learn English program and currently is teach- and then, I was accepted at the ing plant propagation. Under his University of California, Davis mentorship, I am working on were I majored in Vegetable the development of a new nurs- Crops. After finishing my under- ery and agricultural crop for the graduate program, I went back to southeastern USA. This program Costa Rica where I worked as a involves the evaluation of orna- research supervisor in Pineapple mental and edible varieties of production, teacher and natural Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and history tour guide specializing in the biodiversity and valuation tropical plants and crops, as well of a neglected Native Ameri- as a horticulture teacher to sexu- Photo courtesy of Jamie Creamer can species (Nelumbo lutea). In ally abused and mentally challenged high school conjunction with other professors, growers, and students. lotus lovers, we are working on the evaluation Subsequently, I earned a Master degree in of new cultivars for the nursery industry; deter- Environmental Law at the International Univer- mining the phyto-remediation potential of Lotus sity of Andalucía Seville, Spain. My research growing in constructed wetlands to treat nursery focused on transgenic crops and potential effects run-off; double-cropping with Catfish in the on genetic pools of wild relatives. My exposure Black Belt region; and, its potential for ethanol to different aspects related with biodiversity, production. encouraged my exploration into a new phase: Thank you for your time and consideration. its application to the horticultural industry. Sincerely, Based on this, I decided to return to school to Warner Orozco-Obando specialize in horticulture. At the University Auburn Lotus Research Project of Georgia, I enrolled into their horticultural graduate program working on floral induc- Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 7

New Board Member Nominees Tim Davis I told you a little about my background in got there when they were expanding from one my editorial post but here is a little more. I am central basin to 6 pools. I could not get within married to Debbie. I have two adult sons and 50 yards. Talk about disappointment. one daughter-in-law. My oldest just got out of Well the next spring was when I actually got the army and is in the process of enlisting in the to meet Ken. He was just a good old country Texas National Guard so he can continue school boy willing to talk on the subject until the sun and keep his rank. went down. This man had all the knowledge I I work for a large retail corporation that de- could ever want. I made plans to go out again mands long hours. In any and all free time I am and see the collection later in the summer. doing something related to waterlilies. If there is When I got there, it was about 8:00 p.m. at daylight to be had I am planting or propagating night. I went down to the pools and saw Vic- or crossing waterlilies. When I have great mate- toria amazonica, Victoria cruziana, Victoria rial at hand I pull out the camera and start taking ‘Longwood Hybrid’ and a large number of shots. I take thousands of shots each year. night bloomers. This was amazing to me until I have had a long business I came back during the relationship with Rolf Nel- daylight. To see waterlil- son who is a Past President ies with blooms exceeding of the IWGS. He is the ten inches was beyond person I bought my first my experience. To see the waterlily from. Through Australian waterlilies with the years I voraciously almost one foot blooms read whatever I could find and three to four foot pads on growing, propagat- wowed me. I decided ing and then crossing the that due to his kindness, waterlilies. I would help out in what- In doing research I found that one of the fore- ever way I could. Technology is easy for me so most experts in the field ofNymphaea lived in I set up a web site for him, The International my own backyard so to speak. I met Ken Land- Waterlily Collection. I decided since I could not on a few years back at a spring garden party at find much about him on the net I would change Rolf’s place. Ken has forgotten more than I will that for others in the future. We have gotten a lot probably ever know. Rolf told me I just had to of positive feedback from the people who view go see The International Waterlily Collection, a the site as well as some Universities who are waterlily collection certified by the IWGS. It is referencing us as a resource on species material in San Angelo. That is about a seven hour drive and data. from here. Remember, Texas is a BIG state. I I have been a member of the IWGS for three did research on Ken and the IWC. I was amazed years specifically because I wanted Rich Sa- at the fact that there was very little to read on cher’s book on Hybridizing. The one thing I Ken outside of botanical journals. He was even thought about the society was that we needed one of the founding members of the IWGS and to have more information available. As the new one of the Hall of Fame members as well. editor of this journal and a possible future board My wife and I planned a trip to see this col- member, I wish to provide whatever skills I lection I had heard about. Unfortunately we have to further the goals of the society. Page 8 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

New Board Member Nominees Soni Forsman Soni Forsman began of Minnesota Landscape water gardening in 1979 Arboretum. The Forsmans’ with one hardy waterlily water gardens have been in a container. Now five featured in Midwest Living in-ground water gardens and Mpls/St. Paul maga- and many container water zines, local newspapers and gardens are home to more Rebecca’s Garden. Each than 25 varieties of hardy year, Soni and her husband, waterlilies, a few tropical Dave, welcome visitors to ones, lotus and marginal their gardens. plants. In 2005, Soni consulted By the mid-1990s, Soni at the Marjorie McNeely was writing and speaking Conservatory in St. Paul’s about water gardening in Como Park, growing the zone 4. Her articles have Victoria waterlilies for appeared in the Northern display in the new pools. Gardener, official publica- The water platters were last tion of the Minnesota State seen in the park in the early Horticultural (MSHS) 1900s. society. She also contrib- The Forsmans are found- utes articles to the Waterlog, ing members of the In- Minnesota Water Garden ternational Waterlily and Society newsletter. Water Gardening Society. She speaks to garden She is also a member of the clubs and horticultural so- Minnesota Water Garden cieties statewide, appears at Society, Water Gardeners the home and garden shows International, the Minnesota in the Twin Cities and at Hosta Society, the Eagan events sponsored by the Garden Club and the Gar- MSHS and the University den Writers Association.

The members on this and the previous pages have been placed in nomination for the International Water- lily and Water Gardening Society elections to be held June 9th to 30th, 2009. Elections will be held via e-mail or you may mail your votes to the IWGS office to be opened at that time. Please respond to the e-mail for voting or mail your votes of yea or nay to the IWGS office. Official results will be -an nounced at the Annual General Meeting in St. Charles, Illinois at the 2009 symposium. Contact information for the society is on page 23. We are electing three board members this year. Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 9

The Waterlily Theme In The Works Of Louis Comfort Tiffany by Martha Wren Briggs, Art Librarian Emeritus, C.W. Post College of Long Island University mages of waterlilies are found in some of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained-glass Iwindows and lamp shades. Tiffany (1848- 1933) was the son of the founder of Tiffany and Company, and the master of the stained-glass medium. He was fascinated with all things found in nature, and the floating leaves, bob- bing flowers and swaying buds of the aquatic Nymphaea plant especially appealed to him. He was the leading proponent of the Art Nouveau movement in the United States which featured the decorative elements of natural, free-flowing forms of flora. Tiffany developed a uniquely color-saturated (non-painted) glass and textured glasses for his products. A Tiffany window is effective when viewed from either side and, a Tiffany lamp shade is a work of art whether the light is on or off. By slowly pushing sheets of cooling glass from both ends, Tiffany developed an undulat- ing glass which simulates ripples on a pond, giving a realistic setting for waterlilies in a landscape window. Nymphaea flowers, and many other varieties of flowers important to the presentation of a landscape setting, do not dominate any of Tiffany’s large landscape windows. One excep- tion is the figural window called The Bathers where water, an essential element for the com- position, dominates the window’s center. The bathers are pictured on the sides of the rippling pool; but the viewer is attracted first to the tans, greens and blues of the pool’s water, where a large water area with pink waterlilies are being examined by one of the nude bathers

Peaceful Valley Panel, c. 1908-10 Richard Beattie Mellon House, Pittsburgh PA Leaded stained glass window Tiffany Studios, manufacturer Page 10 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

Waterlilies, as details, are in a number of artistically equal to his windows. Tiffany’s windows, but, perhaps, they are most One of the most impressive hanging shades prominent in the foreground of a window en- manufactured by Tiffany, is a 91.44 cm. [36 titled Peaceful Valley. Five inch] diameter Pond Lily pink flowers, surrounded by chandelier shade, made from oval-shaped pads, rest quietly 1900 to 1910. A repeating de- in a blue rippled lake, giving sign of large pink fully open the impression that they are waterlilies and opening buds, drifting under a bridge in the mounted in blue ripple glass, window’s middle ground. encircle the lower third of the Two large green flowers of shade’s flared rim. Elongated an aquatic plant, which this green Nymphaea pads rise author has not been able to to the top of the shade, while identify, grow in the right a band of rectangular green hand corner of the window Millefiore Water Plants Hanging Globe, ca. glass pieces surround the and help add depth to this 1904-1910 lamp’s lower edge. Louis Comfort Tiffany Residence, landscape. Laurelton Hall, NY The Waterlily Orb, a spher- A single standing pink Favrile glass electrolier lamp ical-shaped shade, is a unique Nymphaea plant showing all Tiffany Furnaces, Inc., manufacturer form among Tiffany’s shades. stages of growth, dominates Pink waterlily flowers encir- the foreground of single narrow stained-glass cle the orb. From greenish-yellow pads, floating window panels made by Tiffany for R.B. Mellon on dark blue water at the orb’s base, buds rise to in 1908, and for J.R. Delmar in 1912. Opening a shimmering sky of geometric pieces of leaded buds, fully open flowers, and empty seed pods glass above them. rise on slender stems between oval leaves. This Cone-shaped lamp shades, with openings at formation solves the artist’s problem of showing the top for a glass chimney, were first made by the landscape’s middle ground. Variations on Tiffany for standing oil lamps and later for elec- this waterlily motif occur in other Tiffany water- trified lamps. Some of their oil-holding bases landscape windows. were ringed by heavy glass lily pads. The distinctive waterlily flowers are also The flowers in the Flowering Waterlily cone’s found in Tiffany’s leaded lamp shades. Shades pattern have large pink and white petaled lilies for standing and hanging lamps were made in with yellow centers. Buds with reddish-brown Tiffany’s lamp shop near New York City as a stems decorate the upper portion of this shade. way to use small pieces of decorative glass left Sixteen blown glass hanging globes with from his stained-glass window commissions. Nymphaea themes, hung in the reception hall at This reversed the financial losses he suffered Tiffany’s Long Island estate. Trailing waterlily when the demand for church windows declined plants appear to slowly rise to the tops of the The public enthusiastically purchased Tif- milky-white colored globes. Tiffany was a glass fany’s lamp shades, which he made over a blower, and it is possible that he, and not one of period of fifteen years. Listed in the inventory his employees, made these lamps of Tiffany’s lamp shades are hanging, spheri- Not all of Tiffany’s representations of wa- cal, reversed tear-drop, and cone shaped shades. terlilies are realistic. Twelve rows of elliptical, Tiffany, however, never mentioned any of his floating, abstract yellow-green waterlily pads lamps in his 1914 book The Art Works of Louis diminish in size and perspective as they rise to C. Tiffany. Perhaps he did not consider them the lamp’s apex against a background of blue Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 11 2009 IWGS rippling glass in his cone-shaped Lily Pad lamp Waterlily Competition shade. by Tim Davis and Mike Swize Another item from Tiffany Studios featuring waterlilies is the first prize winning Aquamarine Waterlily Vase. Its creator was probably Leslie Nash, manager of Tiffany Furnaces. It is not fully understood how Nash inserted long green glass stems into the vase’s tall base and the three white Nymphaea blossoms, surrounded by em- erald green water, in the vase’s bowl. Only six of these vases were made about 1913. Each vase weighed between 6.80 and 11.34 Kg. [15 and 25 pounds] and was priced between 250 and 500 Photo courtesy of Brandon McLane dollars, a fortune at the time. Once again this year we are pleased to Now in the early part of the twenty-first cen- announce that the entries for the IWGS tury, all things labeled Tiffany are prized collec- Waterlily Competition are being grown out, tors’ items. Tiffany is now remembered as much photographed and judged at The Sarah P. Duke for the waterlilies adorning his lamp shades Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. The as he is for the use of the aquatic flower in his official judges panel will vote in late August of magnificent stained-glass windows. this year. We have received a dozen entries wishing to enter new plants to grow out in the combined hardy and tropical categories. It truly is an international event. We have entries from Canada, Thailand, Cyprus and the United States. We want to thank in advance the dedicated efforts of John Wyman, Tamara Kilbane and everyone associated with the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. We know this year will produce wonderful new plants to the world. Will we rival the exciting winners from the past? Only time will tell. Pond Lily Globe Newel Post Lamp, ca. 1900-1910 leaded glass Tiffany Studios, New York, manufacturer

Photos for this article were provided by The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, FL The Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation, Inc. Page 12 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1

Neglected Aquatics by Rowena Burns WATER HIBISCUS previous year’s stems (which become quite The Marsh-mallow, swamp rose-mallow or woody) can be removed as soon as the spring sea hollyhock can be one of the most spectacu- shoots start appearing. Regular fertilization is lar plants in the water garden. Swamp hibiscus important, since hibiscus produce quite a quan- are mainly derived from North American na- tity of vegetative matter each year. When the tives, so be sure not to confuse them with the plant gets very root-bound, it is simple to split dry land hibiscus (of European origin) which are it into two or more clumps, preferably during widely available in florists and garden centers. winter dormancy. All hibiscus open their flowers for just a day, The tropical Hibiscus coccineus, which is however, the large, showy flowers are numerous native to the southeast U.S.A. has stunning12.70 and spectacular, ranging from white & pink to - 20.32 cm. [5 - 8 inch] scarlet blooms on stems deep red depending upon variety, and bloom- up to 2.13 m. [7 feet]. The leaves are deeply cut, ing time lasts from a few weeks to a couple of resembling those of a Japanese maple. There are months. a number of varieties on the market, but all need lots of moisture and preferably full sun. Though it is not hardy colder than Zone 7, it is easily over-wintered in a cool, frost free location.

Marsh hibiscus bloom from mid-summer until fall, so they are perhaps not showy enough in springtime to attract attention in the sales area, though one plant can develop into a majes- tic shrub in a couple of years. They can grow in height from .91 to 2.13 m [3 to 7 feet] depending upon variety, and will add new stems each year. They are best planted in a large container for stability and also to give them a chance to develop their full potential. You may come across Hibiscus acetosella Unfortunately, hibiscus plants tend to look ‘Red Shield’, a hibiscus usually grown for its like dead sticks until relatively late in the spring, showy red leaves. It does bloom, with dusty rose so may be inadvertently thrown out even though flowers about 5.08 cm [2 inches] in diameter, the plant is still viable and ready to grow. The but the eye-catching leaves are the main reason plant will produce new stems each year, so the for growing this one. It is not very hardy, but Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 13

Neglected Aquatics by Rowena Burns easily grown from seed, as are most hibiscus. The more hardy Hibiscus moscheutos has many hybrids available, some with stunning flowers to 30.48 cm. [12 inches] in diameter. Many of these prefer to be moist, rather than wet, but will tolerate long periods submerged. Hardy to Zone 4 or 5, they are native to the South, Central and Eastern U.S.

A single hibiscus plant makes a grandiose addition to a medium or large water garden and is sure to be treasured by all! There are not many plants in the pond that bloom in late summer, but this one is one that will be a center of attention for every visitor.

[email protected] Photos all courtesy of Rowena Burns

Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. palustris is the true aquatic hibiscus, hardy at least to Zone 4. There are even wild colonies in Ontario, where like most hibiscus, they are attractive to both hum- mingbirds and butterflies. I noted one person on the internet who felt they were “garden escapes” because they were too pretty to be wildflow- ers!!! This variety is usually pink with a deep red center, and will produce many 4-5” flowers over a 3 to 4 week period in late summer. You may also look for Hibiscus laevis (syn. Hibiscus militaris), and Hibiscus lasiocarpus. Page 14 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1 IWGS 2009 Symposium Speakers

The following speakers will be at the Sym- Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP) and posium this year... Mr. Cla Allgood, Mr. Gary is a member of the Georgia Green Industry As- Wittstock, Mr. Greg Speichert and Mr. Pairat sociation (GGIA), the Metro Atlanta Lawn and Songpanich. The following is a little bit of Turf Association.(MALTA), and the American biographical information on the distinguished Society of Landscape Architects. His contin- speakers. ued education includes taking specialty courses in water feature design at Harvard University , ASLA is a graduate Mr. Cla Allgood and fish health at UGA’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Mr. Gary Wittstock, P.E. was

of the University of Georgia School of Envi- ronmental Design where he earned a degree in Landscape Architecture. Aquascape’s first pond design and product After working for major landscape firms in developer and now manages their Water Garden Atlanta and Texas, Cla founded Allgood Out- Center in St. Charles, IL. He patented their first doors, Inc. in 1981 to provide landscape archi- ‘Ecosystem’ in 1996 and then their skimmer tecture and full service landscape contracting weir bellows in 2000. He built his first water services. In 1985, at the insistence of a client, garden in 1982 and has been documenting his the company cautiously built their first water hobby turned profession ever since then. His feature. That first commercial water feature was travels to promote water gardening have taken a success, and since then Allgood’s reputation as him all over North America and he enjoys shar- a quality water feature designer and contractor ing his photographs to help others achieve their has grown. Allgood Outdoors has been recog- goals. His photos have been on many magazine nized in national publications and has built wa- and book covers and he’ll share his techniques ter features throughout much of the southeastern with you whether you’re looking for better vaca- United States. Clients include resorts, botanical tion pictures or better sales and training pieces. gardens, golf courses, developers, homeowners Gary and his wife Sandy reside in Elburn, IL and other landscape professionals. In 2001 Cla along side their 8,000 gallon and 21.34m. [70 and his wife Janet opened an additional busi- ft.] long combination koi and water garden. ness, Wakoola Water Gardens, which is a spe- is known for cialty water garden supply nursery. Mr. Greg Speichert his water gardening expertise. He and his wife, Cla has served as secretary of the National Sue, previously owned and operated a ground Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 15 IWGS 2009 Symposium Speakers breaking nursery in Indiana that helped popular- ize water garden plants, and have written numerous articles on the topic. In 2004 they wrote the Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants (Timber Press). An avid plant breeder, he holds a degree in horticulture from Purdue University and often lec- tures on water gardening. He speaks frequently on how to grow, identify, and landscape with Institute of Thailand. water plants, perennials, and tropical plants for In 2000 his botanical interests lead him to the numerous organizations and events, including studying of flowering habits of hardy waterlilies the American Asso- in the tropics in his own backyard. Eventually ciation of Botanical he would master how to cross hardy waterlilies Gardens and Arboreta, in Thailand under the guidance of Dr. Slearm- the Perennial Plant larp Wasuwat, an IWGS founding member and Association, and the member of the IWGS Hall of Fame. Trials were IWGS. done to perfect on how to preserve the seed of Greg is now direc- hardy waterlilies. Next techniques were de- tor of Hilltop Garden veloped to grow new seedlings in the tropics. and Nature Center, a program of the Depart- ment of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University in Bloomington. Greg has introduced over 300 new hardy and tropical marginals and over 100 new native water plants to the water gardening industry, and maintained the largest collection of hardy waterlilies in the United States, with over 300 cultivars represented. In his free time Greg enjoys cooking and enter- taining, rescuing silky terriers, and bonsai. Eventually these hybridizations and methods Mr. Pairat Songpanich was born would lead Pairat to the intersubgeneric hybrid- in Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand in 1957. ization of the genus Nymphaea. Ultimately the He received his Bachelor of Agricultural Sci- century old goal of creating blue hardy waterlily ence from Kasetsart University located in Bang- was realized in 2007 with the selection N. ‘Siam kok Thailand in 1983. Currently he is research- Blue Hardy’. ing the production of para rubber at the Rubber Mr. Pairat Songpanich’s hybrids have re- Page 16 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1 IWGS 2009 Symposium Speakers ceived many awards in recent years. Nymphaea In December of 2008 Pairat Songpanich was ‘Tan-khwan’ (Hybrid of ‘Perry’s Fire Opal’ honored with The Best Plant Breeders Award x ‘Sirius’) was awarded IWGS Best New from The Plant Breeding and Multiplication Hardy Waterlily in 2006. The following year, Society of Thailand. In 2009 the Royal Botanic Nymphaea ‘Miss Siam’ (Hybrid of ‘Mayla’ x Gardens Kew has requested 9 cultivars for a dis- ‘Perry’s Fire Opal’), received the same honor play in the gardens. Also in 2009, the Thailand from the IWGS. At the IWGS Thai Symposium Post Company Limited has honored Mr. Song- in 2007 Pairat’s waterlily Nymphaea ‘Tanpong’ panich with 2 postage stamps which are illus- trated with Nymphaea ‘Tanpong’ and Nymphaea ‘Tan-khwan’. In an effort to document his hybrids, Pairat has registered Nymphaea ‘Rojjana Ubol’ & N. ‘Supranee Pink’ via the IWGS which is the official registrar for Nymphaea and Nelumbo as appointed by the International Society for Horticultural Science. In addition, Nymphaea ‘Tan-khwan’, N. ‘Miss Siam’, N. ‘Tanpong’, N. ‘Pink Ribbon’ and N. ‘Rattana Ubol’ are in the process of being officially registered through the IWGS. Pairat has also listed 7 of his hybrids with WGI’s Checklist of Waterlily Names and 5 hybrids in Thailand with the Plant Varieties Protection Division, Department of Agriculture – Thailand. Pairat Songpanich has been eager to share his knowledge with others. In 2007 and 2008 he wrote a article every 2 weeks for the Thai journal Technology Chao Bann or Agricultural Technology for the Ordinary Person by Ma- tichon press www.matichon.co.th . In 2007 and (Hybrid of ‘Mayla’ x ‘Madame Wilfron Gon- 2008 Pairat gave a paper and plate on hardy nère’) received the 1st reward trophy from her waterlilies and Siam Blue Hardy at the Thailand Royal Majesty. He also received the 2nd reward Seminar. trophy for Nymphaea ‘Rattana Ubol’ (Hybrid Not only does Pairat excel in the art of grow- of ‘Mayla’ x ‘Madame Wilfron Gonnère’) and ing and propagating waterlilies but he is also an the 3rd reward trophy from her Royal Majesty award winning amateur photographer! Pairat for Nymphaea ‘Miss Siam’ (Hybrid of ‘Mayla’ has won 9 international photo awards and 54 x ‘Perry’s Fire Opal’). Also in 2007, Nymphaea photo awards within Thailand. Among his favor- “Pink Ribbon” was voted number one in the ite subjects to photograph are orchids and as you online Waterlily Beauty Contest by members might have guessed waterlilies! of Water Gardeners International (WGI). Pairat generously agreed that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of N. “Pink Ribbon” will support breast cancer charities. Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 17 IWGS 2009 Symposium Speaker Topics

Cla Allgood Cla will discuss Celebrating Water in the Landscape. Cla will discuss how he approaches design- ing and building water features. In addition to showing some of his various water feature proj- ects, he will discuss the different client interac- tions, the design processes and the construction challenges. An early proponent of computer aided design, Cla will review some of the free don’t have to get wet but the ponds will be open programs that are used by Allgood Outdoors and for close-ups so wear shorts or a swim suit and that could be of help to other professionals and old tennis shoes if you’d like to wade in. water garden enthusiasts.

Gary Wittstock Greg Speichert Photos are a great way to capture & share the Greg will discuss Variegation in Aquatic beauty of our aquatic paradises. These images Plants. are also essential for promoting your business Greg will discuss plants already in produc- & selling the lifestyle in brochures, store dis- tion, how inheritable those traits are, and can plays and seminars. This class will help you best they be produced from seed. He’ll discuss how showcase your Aquascape design talents and to introduce variegation in other aquatic plants elicit some “WOW’s!” from your prospective as well. buyers. Bring your cameras, digital or film, and spend some time with our photo instructors taking Pairat Songpanich pictures of our ponds, waterfalls, lilies, fish Pairat will identify the challenges of growing and fountains. We’ll spend the first hour in the hardy waterlilies in Thailand. Successes in culti- classroom going over camera functions, then vation have lead him to experiment with hybrid- head out to our Aqua Gardens for some hands- ization. This path took him to the ultimate quest on practice. Tripods & extra lenses or auxiliary of waterlily hybridizers for the past 100 years: flashes are recommended but not required. You the creation of the first blue hardy waterlily. Pairat will highlight his successes with crossing many different parent lilies including intersubgeneric hybrids which lead to the creation of N. ‘Siam Blue Hardy’ and its siblings. Pairat will conclude his program with an introduction of his latest hybrids. Page 18 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1 IWGS 2009 Symposium Proposed Itinerary

IWGS 2009 St. Charles, IL each year to gain an enhanced appreciation Symposium Schedule of the natural world and to view their diverse collection of 2.4 million plants. Since 1999, the Wednesday – July 15th: Garden has been systematically rejuvenating its 9.17 km. [5.7 miles] of lake shoreline using All Day: Board Meeting at Aqualand innovative bioengineering techniques that rely heavily on dense stands of healthy shoreland Thursday – July 16th: vegetation (over 1/4-million plants!) to control 8:30 am: Bus Departs erosion and improve aquatic habitat. Per- 10:00 am: Chicago Botanic Gardens Tour – manent and seasonal plantings of hardy and Glencoe, IL tropical water lilies, lotus, and other emergent 10:00 am: Buses arrive at CBG Visitor plants round out the Garden’s aquatic displays. Bob Kirschner, the Garden’s Curator of Aquatic Plant and Urban Lake Studies, will lead our group on a tour of the Garden’s aquatic collection including the Great Basin Water Gardens, the Aquatic Garden, and the recent aquatic rejuvenation in the Japanese Garden.

Center. Bob Kirschner welcomes guests to the Garden as they disembark. Guests proceed to Regenstein Center and assemble in Linnaeus Room; Bob will give a brief PowerPoint over- view of CBG’s aquatic gardens and programs. 10:30 am: Bob will lead us on tour of CBG’s aquatic gardens The Chicago Horticultural Society was Noon: Box lunch on McGinley Pavilion founded in 1890. At its heart was the under- or in the Linnaeus Room if the weather’s bad. standing that the city of Chicago was incor- The Chicago Botanic Garden, with its world- porated with the Latin words Urbs in Horto, renowned plant collections and displays, has meaning “city in a garden.” The Society hosted become one of the country’s most visited pub- nationally recognized flower and horticultural lic gardens and a preeminent center for learn- shows and supported Chicago’s lakeshore ing and scientific research. Opened to the improvements and park system. www.chicago- public in 1972, the Garden features 23 display bontanic.org gardens and three native habitats, uniquely sit- 1:15 pm: Bus Departs uated on nine islands surrounded by a 60-acre system of lakes. Over 750,000 visit the Garden Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 19 IWGS 2009 Symposium Proposed Itinerary

2:00 pm: Garden Center Tour - Lurvey’s wholesome conditions. This greenhouse and For more than 20 years, professional contrac- the Aquatic Nursery use biological engineer- tors and homeowners have come to depend ing to maintain a healthy environment. Out- on Lurvey for everything that grows and goes side the greenhouse is the pool in the hall. in the landscape! Their 9 acres include pond This large pool has been used for 30 years to products, nursery stock, pavers, sod, to one of bring life into the classroom and to all those the most complete lines of natural stone. passing down the hall. Students and staff stop by regularly to observe plants growing and flowering; frogs breeding; tadpoles becoming frogs; and countless colorful fish eating and breeding. It’s a touch of nature in a modern building, which is both air conditioned in the summer and heated throughout our long, harsh winters. This pool has no filter and thrives because of three high-output lights. Over the years, it has been used as a laboratory facility for zoology, environmental biology, and botany classes. The flora and fauna change with subject-matter in classes. 10:00 am: Bus Departs 3:30 pm Bus Departs for Pheasant Run 10:30 am Aquatic Nursery Tour 6:15 pm Bus Departs The Aquatic Nursery was the first nursery 6:30 pm: Dinner Hosted by Aquascape at of its kind in the Chicago area. It began a the home of Greg & Carla Wittstock few years before the International Water Lily Join Greg & Carla Wittstock as they invite Society was organized. This nursery is unique you to their backyard paradise. Dinner will be a in that it is high above the nearest stream and casual affair. the fifty pools are connected by a flow through 9:00 pm: Bus Departs system. There are no filters, no rock beds, and no chemicals are used for algae control, yet Friday – July 17th: the water is clear and algae free. These condi- 8:30 am: Bus tions are maintained by biological engineer- Departs ing. This non-technical system employs one 9:00 am: Bio- pump and selected ducks, fish, snails, tadpoles, tope Tour at Elgin and plants to maintain water quality. When Community College you tour the nursery, you will appreciate the The Elgin Com- inter-relationship of this system. We have the munity College largest selection of aquatic plants and animals greenhouse does in the Chicago area, and we are a NURSERY, not use fertilizer or not a garden center! pesticides. In it are 11:30 am: Bus Departs several ecological 12:00 pm: Lunch at Giordano’s Pizza Res- systems involv- taurant ing flowing water Giordano’s is known for their world famous and selected plants and animals to maintain stuff pizza. One of Chicago’s great pizza loca- Page 20 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1 IWGS 2009 Symposium Proposed Itinerary tions! er’s Palette – Plants for Garden Artistry 1:15 pm Bus Departs The Planter’s Palette is dedicated to help- 1:30 pm: Ball Horticulture Tour – West ing people make the most of their outdoor Chicago, IL spaces. The vast selection of wonderful colors, The Gardens at Ball made their debut in textures, fragrances, and forms make it easy to 2005 as part of Ball Horticultural Company’s paint a garden with beauty. Most of the plants Centennial Celebration. Completely rede- are grown in our greenhouses and production signed and implemented in just over one year, facilities enabling us to offer a season-long these 7.5 acres at the company’s headquarters in West Chicago, Illinois, now feature the world’s wealth of horticultural introductions

supply of fresh, vigorous plants.

In a country-like setting graced by mature trees, The Planter’s Palette offers gardeners a unique setting to shop for ornamental plants. A stroll through the garden center reveals a colorful array of perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables. It’s the best place to find unusual and improvements in a botanical garden set- new varieties as well as old-fashioned favor- ting. What began as simple row trials in 1933 ites. Roses, flowering shrubs, and ornamental has truly become an amazing destination - The grasses are also available to add structure to Gardens at Ball. While rarely open to the pub- the garden. lic, The Gardens at Ball provide lots of inspira- Treasures abound at the Garden and Gift tion and information for growers, retailers and Shop. Arbors and benches, statuary, and foun- landscape professionals. tains compliment any setting. Browse through 3:00 pm: Bus Departs the large selection of containers from glazed ceramic to lightweight resin and everything in between. Friendly, knowledgeable horticulturists are ready to assist gardeners in finding the best plants for their homes. The Planter’s Palette Perennial Festival is held each year in July and celebrates perennials in the garden. Experience endless inspiration in temporary display gardens designed by their staff to demonstrate the many ways perennials can be combined with other plants in the landscape. Of course, no festival would 3:15 pm: Garden Center Tour - The Plant- be complete without specials on plants and Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 21 IWGS 2009 Symposium Proposed Itinerary garden décor, free popcorn and lemonade, garden of 200+ lilies, a 3.05 m. [10 ft.] waterfall and lots more fun! over a craggy bluff with grotto for behind- Evening: TBD the-falls viewing, a vanishing pond edge near the southern waterfalls, underwater fish cave, Saturday – July 18th: stepping stones that traverse the midsection All Day: Classroom Sessions & Silent of the pond to a grassy peninsula, a perme- Auction able patio with underground rainwater harvest Evening: Awards Dinner at Pheasant Run storage system, outdoor grill and fire pit, put- ting green, and much more. Sunday – July 19th: The west side of Aqualand showcases an 9:00 am: Bus Departs for Aquascape inspiration gallery for residential outdoor liv- Pond Tour ing. Known as the AquaGardens, hardscaping, St. Charles is the Water Garden Capital of the pathways, pergola with seating, bubbling urns World! We will take you on a tour of approxi- and fountains, pondless waterfalls, ecosystem mately 4 – 5 water features built by Aquascape, ponds, and bogs are nestled amidst orna- Inc. Lunch will be provided with the tour. mental shrubs and perennials. Large koi skim 9:15am: First Stop - Tour of the Pond at beneath water lilies Aquascape Headquarters Aqualand is home to Aquascape, Inc.’s Monday – July 20th: corporate headquarters. This 78.03 square Optional touring around Chicago on your km. [256,000 square foot] LEED® silver-level certified building sports the largest sloping green roof in North America. The roof has over 65,000 plugs of native plants including Black-eyed Susan, Aster, Grey’s Goldenrod, Wild Blue Lupine, Sand Coreopsis, and much more. Rainwater runs off the roof into a reten- tion pond for efficient stormwater manage- ment. The grounds of the building’s east side include a 76.20 x 27.43 m. [250 x 90 ft.] ecosys-

own. The following venues are tourist attractions that draw people to Chicago. Some of them may appeal to your idea of a fun day. The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a nonprofit institution dedicated to public education and conservation, is known as “The World’s Aquarium.” Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, the facility houses nearly 22,000 aquatic animals representing some tem pond constructed to replicate the Illinois 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, watershed – complete with a Monet water lily invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters Page 22 The Water Garden Journal Vol. 24, No. 1 IWGS 2009 Symposium Proposed Itinerary around the world. Since its opening in 1930, hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture. the Aquarium’s mission has been to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the aquatic world.

After walking around Millennium Park, you may want to head over to Navy Pier and stay there through dinner and rush hour. This is a very popular tourist spot where you can walk along Lake Michigan and there are shoreline boat trips, as well a number of restaurants and shops to visit.

Millennium Park and Buckingham Fountain in Downtown Chicago Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philan- thropic community, the 24.5 acre Park features the work of world-renowned architects, plan- ners, artists and designers. Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor con- cert venue of its kind in the United States; the More details will be in the next journal as interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; well as information coming through e-mail and regular mail. Please stay connected with us to get all the details on this year’s symposium.

the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s Vol. 24, No. 1 The Water Garden Journal Page 23

THE WATER GARDEN JOURNAL Volume 24 Number 1

EDITOR TIM DAVIS EDITORIAL BOARD JAMES ALLISON PAULA BILES BARRE HELLQUIST WALTER PAGELS DISTRIBUTION KEITH FOLSOM IWGS WEBMASTER RANDALL TATE Front Cover Photo Nymphaea 'Ultra Violet’ The Official Publication of the © Brandon McLane INTERNATIONAL WATERLILY AND WATER GARDENING SOCIETY New Board Member Nominee Photos provided by individual nominee. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY PRESIDENT TISH FOLSOM All Symposium related photos provided by VICE PRESIDENT JIM PURCELL persons in the photo or courtesy of web sites TREASURER ROWENA BURNS advertising locations. Links Provided. SECRETARY ROBERT BURNS © IWGS 2009 EXEC. DIRECTOR KEITH FOLSOM Back Cover Photos and BOARD OF DIRECTORS all inside uncredited photos Stephen Blessing, Robert Burns, Rowena Burns © Tim Davis Tish Folsom, Cathy Green, Grant Mitchell Larry Nau, Rolf Nelson, Jim Purcell, Steve Stroupe Mission Statement—The International Waterlily & Thomas Tilley, Dael Wright, Jim Wullschleger Water Gardening Society (IWGS), is a non-profit organi- Charles Thomas (honorary life term) zation of multinational membership dedicated to the furtherance of all aspects of water gardens and their www.iwgs.org associated plants. As an organization we support and promote education, research, and conservation in these Registrars areas. Nymphaea Registration Jim Purcell – [email protected] Volume 24, Number 1. The IWGS Water Garden Verena Liechti – [email protected] Journal (ISSN 1069-5982) is published quarterly by The Nelumbo Registration International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society Ken Tilt – [email protected] (The Society), 340 Old Quarry Lane, P.O. Box 602, Green- Warner Orozco-Obando – [email protected] ville VA 24440, USA. Phone 540-337-9344 Fax: 540-337- 0738, Email [email protected]. All rights reserved. © 2008. ADMINISTRATIVE ADDRESS and The Water Garden Journal is indexed in EBSCO’s Garden, SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Landscape & Horticulture Literature Index. International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society 340 Old Quarry Lane, PO Box 602 Postage paid at Greenville VA, USA and additional mail- Greenville VA 24440 ing offices. Basic subscription/ membership rate for one 540-337-9344 full year is $30 for the online Journal. Hard copy can be Fax: 540-337-0738 mailed for an additional $25 per year. Further details [email protected] and back issues are available from the administrative office in VA. All changes of address and incidents of EDITORIAL ADDRESS non-arrival of journals should be notified to the office Tim Davis in VA. Opinions expressed by authors and any products IWGS Water Garden Journal reviewed are not specifically endorsed by The Society, 1121 G. Hill Rd, Houston, TX 77037 USA nor does The Society accept any liability arising from the 832-274-3377 contents of this journal. [email protected] IWGS 2008 Symposium Panoramas

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Norie Burnett’s Edenwoods Moss Garden

Meadowview Biological Research Station