The Journals of the IWGS were in great part the way in which up to date information was distributed about the happenings of the Aquatic plant lovers and the industry from 1985 until the modern day. Though the Internet has largely taken over as a quick way to transmit news Journals are holding there own in the new age. Concise and relevant content and distributed in a manner that is still largely more efficient than blogs or magazines which too often focus on product content.

     When the Waterlily Journal began in March 1985 Vol 1:1 ,  Steven Davis, MS, CAE, was the original editor, who at the time was Director of Horticulture at the American Horticultural Society (AHS). He worked with the societies first President Walter Pagels, Vice President Kirk Strawn, Secretary Charles Thomas, and Treasurer Peter Slocum. Davis’s work also includes but are not limited to Executive Director of the American horticultural Therapy Association, and Botanical Editor for the  AHS’s Plant Services Data Center, a long list of publications, many years as a lecturer and instructor. He recieved his MS in Botany.  

     In 1988 Philip Swindells became the second editor from 1988 through 1995, as well as the first IWGS Registrar for Nymphaea (Waterlilies). He had been involved throughout the formation of the IWGS back to 1984 and spoke at the first symposium in 1985.  Like many involved in the water garden world at the time his experiences was expanded into much of horticulture and he was well known in the United Kingdom as an expert on TV and radio. He became a hall of fame member in 1994 and began the infamous and still active yahoo message group. More on Phillip can be found at the IWGS website, including his role in reprinting the famous, 1905 book, “The Waterlilies”.

    James Allison took over as editor in 1996 and was a long running editor into 2004. In 2005 Paula Biles, the IWGS first Executive Director Wrote the following on James.  

“IWGS Hall of Fame 2004 Inductee James Allison

      James Allison became a household name for countless water gardeners in 1991 after publication of his book Water in the Garden, which has been translated into 5 different languages and sold over 100,000 copies. The book is still in print and continues to serve as one of the foremost reference works for water gardeners from beginners to experts. James writes a column, as he has since 1986, for the United Kingdom’s best-selling fishkeeping magazine. His articles and photographs appear often in numerous magazines and books.

      For many years James was on the IWGS Board of Directors, often doing double duty as our European liaison. However most members know him as the Water Garden Journal editor, a position he held for seven years. During that time he wrote many of the articles, instituted many changes, did layout and design, and updated many systems to make use of new technologies. James was the Society’s public face to our membership and the outside world.

      James’ encyclopedic knowledge of aquatic plants, fish, water quality, photography, European invasives, and information related to the UK’s water gardening businesses is legendary. He willingly, thoroughly, and expertly shares what he knows, often in the form of a presentation at annual symposia. James’ enthusiasm to continue to learn and try new things, from the latest H₂O testing procedures to unusual restaurants, is also legendary. His water gardening friends greatly value his opinions and definitely enjoy his company.

      As his Hall of Fame award plaque reads: James Allison was inducted in recognition of his exceptional work with the IWGS as a member, a member of the board of directors, 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.”

 Written by Paula Biles, Water Garden Journal (20:3) Fall 2005    Jame Allison’s website is www.aquapic.com.

     Fred McCorkle took over after James, a south Florida resident and basically local friend of Paula Biles, she recently wrote about Fred as a Koi lover who eventually fell in love with the plants. The two not only worked together in the IWGS as Executive Director and journal editor but developed a local pond club focused on education of properly caring for fish and plants. “Fred also created and edited another publication to support the brand new All Florida Koi & Pond Show (AFKAPS)”. The world just recently lost Fred, Paula shared her experiences with Fred here at the IWGS.

     Tim Davis is the current editor of the Water Garden Journal. Under his tenure the Journals have become available online in PDF format. Members of-the IWGS can see all up to date Journals the minute they are published as well as receive hard-copies if they so choose. Tim is also responsible for the updates to the IWGS site as the web designer. Tim is a lover of water lilies and helps his friend Ken Landon manage the online verison of the San Angelo Texas International Water Lily collection, and each annual LilyFest at the collection in San Angelo (Home of the 2010 International Waterlily and Water garden Society Symposium). Tim is also a great Photographer of the waterlilies.

The Journal and Society have altered titles a few times over the years. The Journal has much more information than is even available on the web (at this time, until the articles go online) so joining and reading the articles on all sorts of aquatic plant and water garden information is worth the annual cost. Each continent you will find a great difference in plants, styles, people, methods, and more and the Journal has a great way of collecting all of the international happenings. A very worldly publication.

From IWGS.org:   From Seed to Blossom: A History of the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society

When people become serious about a subject, they acquire a never-ending thirst for additional information while looking for others to discuss common interests. Dedicated waterlily folks are no different. Back in 1982 there were few people in the profession and even fewer avenues for sharing mutual concerns. Something as simple as determining a waterlily’s correct name was extremely difficult since there weren’t standard descriptions or accurate live examples for comparison. News of recent hybrids and introductions was almost non-existent. Even the most basic water gardening information was scarce in print. There were no waterlily or water gardening groups at any level – hobbyist, academic, or professional.

In 1982 Charles Thomas planted a seed among other waterlily enthusiasts for creating a society. He fertilized it relentlessly. Luckily two events heightened interest for forming the organization. In 1983 the first local water gardening group formed in Colorado (Colorado Water Garden Society) and the following year one of the few water gardening writers visited the US from Ireland. Thomas capitalized upon the occasion, inviting him to visit and to help launch the new Water Lily Society. Hundreds from the US and many from Europe attended a well-planned affair where the organization was officially announced on September 22, 1984. …” 

The original edition of Botanica Magnifica, consisting of five lavishly hand-bound volumes, was limited to just ten copies, the first of which was recently donated to the Smithsonian Institution. The extra-large “double-elephant” format of that edition was chosen in homage to the famous double-elephant folio of The Birds of America, and indeed, Botanica Magnifica is one of the few works of natural history ever to rival Audubon’s magnum opus in its scope and artistry. In praise of the double-elephant folio of Botanica Magnifica, the Smithsonian’s Chairman of Botany attested, “Everyone who has seen the photographs . . . has been tremendously impressed with the power, scale, and depth of the work.”

Botanica Magnifica features two hundred and fifty stunning photographs of rare and exotic plants and flowers by Hasselblad Laureate Award winner Jonathan Singer.

The original volume hand sown by Kerstin Tini Miura, is hand bound in goatskin, by German master bookbinder who now has ateliers both in California and Japan.

Each plant pictured is accompanied by a clear description of its botany, geography, folklore, history, and conservation. The species included are rare plants, historically significant flowers, gold medal winners, newly discovered plants, and plants that are just beautiful.

A podiatrist photographs some of the world’s most endangered flowers with remarkable precision and artistry, hoping to raise the plants’ profiles before it’s too late. — Audubon magazine

…its his [Singers] flowers, in Botanica Magnifica, that have caused quite a stir. Art aficionados marvel at their painterly quality, and botanists are in awe of how Singer manages to capture them so true to form… — Smithsonian.com

Botanica Magnifica is truly one of the most amazing natural history publications that has ever appeared… — Zoom magazine

As rare and sublime as the marvels surveyed within its broad covers, Singer has produced a work to rest alongside some of the great botanical codexes in history, one for connoisseurs of the still-life, natural phenomena, and the photographic art. — Library Journal

John Kress at the Smithsonian

(From IWGS Journal) Stone Mountain, GA. USA  NAPP / IWGS Even: Water Feature Conference & Expo February 28 – March 2, 2010 This is a chance for those in the pond business to meet with other pond professionals to learn about the future of technology and how it will aid your business and your customers’ ponds. 

(From IWGS Journal, I already have reservations…) 2010  San Angelo, TX. USA: Waterlily Festival  September 17 – 19, 2010 This will be the waterlily event of the century. Over 200 varieties of waterlily plants on display. Speakers to be announced later. Everyone who is anyone in the waterlily community will want to be there. Make plans to join us at The International Waterlily Collection for Lily Fest and the IWGS Waterlily Festival.

—Visit www.iwgs.org For more information as it becomes available about these great opportunities or to become a member.

Just a few articles include:

Hardy Waterlily (Nymphaea sp.) Hybridization by Pairat Songpanich

Pairat Songpanich Hybrid Creation Computer Presentation by Tim Davis

Nymphaea Purchase Opportunity ‘Ultra Violet’ by Tim Davis

The World’s First Hybrid Between Day Bloomer and Night Bloomer by Carlos Magdalena of RBG Kew

Recap of the IWGS Symposium by Darren & Cynthia Bayhi

More articles by Jim Purcell, Jennifer Zuri, Steve Stroupe, Harry Hutchings, Larry Nau, and more by Tim Davis.