IWGS New Waterlily Competition at Duke Gardens

This summer at Duke Gardens, visitors have the opportunity to see brand new hardy and tropical waterlily hybrids not yet available on the market! The International Waterlily and Watergardening Society has chosen the Gardens to be the growing site for the annual IWGS New Waterlily Competition, a contest that draws entries from skilled hybridizers around the world. The purpose of this competition is to promote interest in hybridizing new colors, forms, and sizes of both tropical and hardy waterlilies. In just the past few years several noteworthy new hybrids have been introduced as a result of the competition, including plants with unusual flower shapes and colors; new leaf patterns and colors; and new viviparous waterlilies.

These one-of-a-kind plants will be on display in the Virtue Peace Pond located behind the Doris Duke Center from July to September. As a new feature of the contest, the Gardens invites visitors to vote for their favorite new waterlily hybrids as part of the "People's Choice Awards". Votes can be cast in person using ballots, via cell phone using our new Guide by Cell program, or here on our website. A panel of IWGS judges will award prizes for the Best New Hardy Waterlily, Best New Tropical Waterlily, and Best New Waterlily Overall and announce the winners on August 15th. Visit www.iwgs.org for the official judging results, and visit our website in September for results of the People's Choice Awards. Free postcards of last year's entries and winners will be given to each visitor who votes in person at the Gardens. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see these stunning new hybrids for yourself!

Click Here to Vote