April Showers

It's a gray, drizzly day here at the Gardens, but inside our greenhouses the climate is decidedly tropical. Our Victoria seeds continue to make progress, with the largest seedling bearing leaves that are 4" in diameter - a far cry from the 6' breadth they will reach by late summer, but exciting none the less. Our Euryale seedlings continue to inch along as well, though at a slower pace then the Vics. Also jostling for space in our heated greenhouse tubs are the entries that have started rolling in for the 2009 IWGS New Waterlily Contest. These new hardy and tropical waterlily hybrids are sent in from hybridizers around the world, with the most recent entries arriving from Cyprus and Hawaii. Our waterlily team is looking forward to growing these brand new plants in the Fish Pool again this summer. The lilies can be viewed beginning in June and running through September, with the peak bloom time occurring in mid-July through mid-August. Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite hybrids once again this year - both on our website and pond-side. More details, along with photos will be posted soon.