HALL OF FAME
IWGS Hall of Fame
Each year the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society inducts into the IWGS Hall of Fame individuals who have made significant contributions to the furtherance of water gardening and aquatic plants on an international basis.
Individuals nominated may be alive or deceased; the primary criterion is that their contributions should be notable. The board has been working on making the nomination criteria a little clearer and more precise, so let me share some of that ongoing discussion with you now, as it may be helpful. You can, for example, nominate someone for their contribution to:
(1) The trade. People who have started, primarily managed or taken over a retail or wholesale aquatic plant nursery in such a way as to preserve or develop the business and further the hobby.
(2) Horticulture. People who have contributed to the art and science of waterlily or other aquatic plant cultivation, production, improvement (which includes hybridization work) or management in commercial, public or private spaces and who have shared their knowledge, plants, and processes to advance the industry and field.
(3) Landscape Design. People who have specialized in water feature design and/or installation, thereby contributing to the expansion of the field of water garden design and construction and the water gardening hobby.
(4) Conservation. People who have contributed to the preservation of waterlily species or cultivars, other aquatic plants or wetland habitats.
(5) Knowledge. People who have contributed significantly to publicly available knowledge on water gardening or waterlilies and other aquatic plants.
(6) Technology. People who have invented and commercialized at least one new successful water gardening-related technology, for example new pond equipment, new cultivation methods or new wholesale/retail commercialization methods for water lilies, lotus or other aquatic plants.
(7) The IWGS. People in at least one of the above categories who have directly and very significantly contributed to the IWGS as an organization.
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We have gathered as many photographs of the Hall of Fame members as we could. If you have additional photographs of any of the Hall of Fame Members, please contact us at "webmaster@iwgs.org"
Deb Spencer
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2026 for her contribution to Trade and Technology
Deb Spencer has been inducted into this Hall of Fame in recognition of her expertise on pond construction and water feature maintenance, and is best recognized for her willingness to share her expertise as a leading authority on pumps and plumbing, gravel bog filters and plants. Her induction into this Hall of Fame is long overdue and a water gardening hall of fame without her is certainly incomplete.
Kit Knotts
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2026 for her contribution to Horticulture and Knowledge
In the world of aquatic plants and water lilies, Kit is known for her creation of the Victoria-Adventure web site, where she reported her extensive and ground breaking data on growing Victoria's, and where she published hundreds of articles which she solicited from growers around the world. Kit also created the web site Water Gardeners International; Those two websites have become a worldwide treasury of aquatic plant information.
Susan Davis
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2026 for her contribution to the IWGS and Trade
Susan is most deserving as the person who built a market in the Midwest and has stepped in to save the IWGS when it was faltering. With her leadership and assembly of the dream team we accomplished more than the IWGS ever had. A sparkling website with abundant resources and an aquatic plant database. All told her contributions helped build an industry early on and save the organization we all leaned from over the years.
Kelly Billing
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2025 for her contribution to the IWGS and Knowledge
Kelly Billing is an Aquatic Plant Specialist with more than 35 years in the wholesale water gardening trade. Her expertise continue to flourish through her work in design and consultation.
Her specialty is denitrification through beautification — understanding a plants natural ability to improve the health of an aquatic environment. As in all segments of the landscape the ‘right plant, right place’ principles apply in the water as well. In Kelly’s work, artistic balance and effective plant use are catered to meet any clients need.
Carlos Magdalena
Country: Spain
INDUCTED: 2024
Carlos' life as a dedicated Nymphaeaophile, or as he says in his book, "a waterlily addict", began as a child with a small pond dug by his father in his parents' yard in Astaria, in northern Spain. His first waterlily, a white foundling, quickly filled the pond, and further captivated the young Carlos.
Carlos' special status stems from his nearly unique ability to rescue highly endangered plants from oblivion. Shrubs and trees from distant lands and isolated islands that were on the very brink of extinction, with which others had vainly struggled for years, were rescued from extinction because of Carlos' special insights and capabilities.
Tim Jennings
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2022
Tim Jennings is a graduate of Longwood's Professional Horticulture Training Program and is the Senior Horticulturalist responsible for Longwood's outdoor Waterlily Display. Tim teaches several popular water gardening courses at Longwood Gardens and also serves as a lab instructor for various plant identification classes. Tim had the good fortune of studying under Patrick Nutt, while a student and later as an employee. Today Tim carries on that tradition by sharing the water gardens at Longwood with thousands of visitors and hundreds students each year.
Claude Monet
Country: France
INDUCTED: 2019
Claude Monet was inducted into the IWGS Hall of Fame in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of waterlilies to the world. Monet's waterlily pond had inspired his most famous later paintings whose iconic images have travelled the world. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Givernay, France during the 2019 Symposium.
Nopchai Chansilpa
Country: Thailand
INDUCTED: 2018
We all have much to look forward to from this hydridizer wonder. Thank you, Dr. Nopchai Chansilpa. Your work, your kindness, and your heartfelt passion have been an inspiration to us all. It is with deep apprecation that we induct you into the IWGS Hall of Fame.
Greg Speichert
Country: usa
INDUCTED: 2015
Greg Speichert was a great friend and contributor to the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society. He served on its Board of Directors from 1997 to 2001, and led the IWGS Trials and Collections Committee for several years. Greg had a talent for speaking and lecturing, sharing his knowledge and introducing everyone he could to the world of rare and fascinating plants.
Brad McLane
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2015
In addition to his time at Florida Aquatic Nurseries, Brad believed in giving back to the industry that had been good to him. He took the time to serve on numerous industry boards throughout his career, serving on the Florida Tropical Fish Farmers Association board, the IWGS board which he was president from 2001-2003 on the Florida Aquaculture Association Board for many years.
Wayne Davis
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2015
Plantabbs of Baltimore, Maryland had a new owner and he wanted to work with specialty products. He had a chemist on staff and they were both determined to make a product specifically for waterlily that WOULD release all of its nutrients to the plant. Wayne Davis why did you wait so long playing with pharmaceuticals before finding your real calling!
Huang Guozhen
Country: China
INDUCTED: 2011
Professor Huang Guozhen is a leading authority of aquatic plants in modern China. He has devoted his life to the understanding, research and creation of new varieties of lotus and waterlilies and reaches out to many in China and countless other experts throughout the world to expand and to share his knowledge of aquatic plants.
Rolf Nelson
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2010
One of the most important contributions Rolf has made to the water gardening industry, and the one which perhaps has required the greatest personal sacrifice, and has exacted the heaviest emotional toll on Rolf and his family…was his tenure as both President and Board Member of this Society.
Pairat Songpanich
Country: Thailand
INDUCTED: 2009
Mr. Pairat Songpanich was inducted to the IWGS Hall of Fame in July at the
St. Charles, Illinois symposium. He learned how to cross hardy waterlilies in Thailand under the guidance of Dr. Slearmlarp Wasuwat, an IWGS founding member and member of the IWGS Hall of Fame.
James Allison
Country: United Kingdom
INDUCTED: 2004
James was inducted in recognition of his exceptional work with the IWGS as a member, a director of the board of and the editor of the Water Garden Journal. These efforts, in conjunction with his extensive publishing and other endeavors, have significantly influenced water gardening worldwide.
William Phillips
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2004
While many people think what cannot be, William constantly focuses on what can be. That is the perfect complement to his scientific and analytical approach to things, even if it uses unorthodox methods. As a result we now have both William Phillips, the man, and ‘William Phillips’, the intersubgeneric waterlily.
Helen Fowler
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2004
Helen Shaw Fowler was an exceptional woman for many reasons, especially considering the time in which she lived. She was the visionary who understood the importance of the water gardens and wetlands area to the Capitol City. Most of all, Helen Fowler was responsible for the US’s only aquatic plant park, a green gateway that is a lasting legacy to the citizens of DC and the entire waterlily community at large.
Ken Landon
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 2001
San Angelo is the home of the International Waterlily Collection. It is Ken Landon’s life’s work and it is the greatest collection of nymphaea that can be seen anywhere. Not only is it one of the largest and most diverse collections, it is fully authentic and all plants are true to their historical name.
Dr. Edward Schneider
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 1995
For his extensive work in the field of botany, particularly regarding aquatic plants. He has authored 75 scientific papers on aquatic flora and made innumerable presentations on aquatic topics in the U.S. and throughout the world. His personal contributions to the IWLS for many years have shown extraordinary dedication to the aims of the society.
Philip Swindells
Country: United Kingdom
INDUCTED: 1994
For authoring numerous books on water gardening which have educated gardeners throughout the world, editing The Water Garden Journal for many years, and establishing and maintaining the IWLS as the international authority for registration of the genera Nymphaea and Nelumbo.
Dr. Robert Kirk Strawn
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 1991 at Munich German
Dr Strawn is an invaluable member of the IWLS as a world leader in growing and hybridizing water lilies in the line of Bory Latour Marliac. He bears the rare qualities of selfless service, of kindness, a great sense of humor, and a ready willingness to share his considerable expertise.
Charles B. Thomas
Country: USA
INDUCTED: 1991
For his outstanding dedication to the furtherance of water gardening throughout the world. The founder and driving force behind the International Water Lily Society. Award winning writer on water gardening with numerous articles and publications to his credit.
Norman H. Bennett
Country: United Kingdom
INDUCTED: 1990 at Orlando, Florida
He has devoted nearly half a century to promoting water gardening. He has devoted considerable time, effort and personal expense to the International Water Lily Society's commitment to the proper identification and registration of water lilies. He served as IWLS president, during which time he helped to organize the United Kingdom's first Intemational Water Lily Symposium and Tour.
Bill Heritage
Country: United Kingdom
INDUCTED: 1989
Bill Heritage was a pioneer in the successful use of flexible liners for water gardens. This concept made water gardening much easier and less expensive. His writings have inspired countless thousands of readers around the world to become enthusiastic water gardeners.
Joseph Bory Latour Marliac
Country: France
INDUCTED: 1985
Marliac not only brought many new varieties into the world but he inspired a great artist as well. In 1889, Marliac exhibited his water lilies at the Universal Exposition held in the Bagatelle (now extinct) near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He was awarded Diplomas of Honor and Gold Medals.
