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. Hall of Fame inductees may be hybridizers, plant collectors, writers, public aquatic garden superintendents, growers, or others who have significantly contributed to the furtherance of the Society's purposes.
These purposes are defined in Section IIIB of the Articles of Incorporation as "promoting, encouraging, and fostering the discovery, growth, research, development, and improvement of the family Nymphaeaceae and companion aquatic plants and the dissemination of information pertaining thereto to the membership and to the general public."
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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 "[email protected]"
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
