Longwood Hoticulture Students Visit Kauai
A group of budding horticulturalists from Longwood Botanical Gardens in Pennsylvania recently spent an enriching morning at Garden Ponds Nursery, where they not only soaked in the lush surroundings but also deepened their roots into the world of aquatic plants through shared knowledge and camaraderie. The group was led by Suzanne Boom, the current president of the International Water Gardening Society, and aquatic plant specialist at Longwood Botanical gardens. Longwood Gardens known for its horticultural artistry, blending natural landscapes with meticulously crafted gardens and fountains celebrating an extensive collection of diverse plants, including 9,000 species and varieties, spread across 1,100 acres.
The class of 2025 Horticultural cohort visit to the nursery was a delightful blend of education and connection. Students were welcomed warmly and treated to a delicious lunch amid the vibrant greenery and blooming waterlilies. Conversations also blossomed, ranging from favorite propagation techniques to personal gardening journeys. The hosts were gifted with a beautiful Longwood Garden journal to keep notes, a necessity for hobbyist and professional gardeners, alike.
The nursery proved to be the perfect setting for this exchange of ideas. Students explored the variety of plants on display, many of which sparked lively discussions about cross-pollination, balanced ecosystems, propagation techniques, native species, and sustainable growing practices.
One of the day’s key highlights was a hands-on propagation session, where students had the chance to learn techniques specific to tropical and subtropical species. Special attention was given to the mosaic plant (Ludwigia sedioides) and viviparous waterlilies—both of which thrive in Hawaii’s subtropical climate but are rarely encountered in the cooler conditions of Pennsylvania. While we water garden year-round here on Kauai, Longwood’s waterlily pond displays open on May 10th, and are closed over the winter months.
“Talking story” became more than just a casual chat—it turned into a meaningful opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, share tips and tricks, and deepen a shared passion for all things botanical. From seed to sprout, every topic was a chance to grow both knowledge and friendships.
With Suzanne’s encouragement, a unique Kauai waterlily hybrid developed by Ken Bernard and named nymphaea “Poikilo” by Jake Bernard will be entered into the international aquatic plant database. This unique waterlily is not only stunning but is also thought to be an intersubgenic waterlily – meaning those resulting from crosses between different subgenera within the Nymphaea genus. In this case, a tropical (n. Dauben)n and a hardy (n. Arc en Ciel) waterlily variety. A truly unique new waterlily variety that we are proud to call our own here at Garden Ponds!
As the morning ended, the students left not only with new experience working with aquatic plants, but also fresh ideas and a renewed sense of community. The hosts also felt incredibly grateful and invigorated by the presence of enthusiastic young people, eager to enter careers in horticulture, a revival we are here for.
The Garden Ponds Nursery visit served as a living classroom and a heartening reminder: in horticulture, just as in life, the best growth happens when we share what we know and nurture one another.
We regularly open our nursery and share our knowledge with those eager to learn.
Join one of our upcoming water gardening classes in May:
- Secrets of Water Gardening (May 17)
- An introductory class covering the basics of aquatic plant care. Learn about proper plant selection, placement, and water quality management to ensure a thriving water garden.
- Waterlily 101 (May 31)
- Covers several varieties of waterlilies, including care, propagation, and repotting. This class is perfect for those looking to incorporate these stunning aquatic plants into their water gardens.
Classes are on Saturdays and run from 10:00 am until 12noon. Register via Eventbrite.
Garden Ponds is located at the Kilauea Jungle Oasis beside Anaina Hou Community Park and Mini Golf. We are open Wednesday to Friday 12-5pm and Saturdays 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. You can visit our website at gardenpondskauai.com or call us at 808-828-6400 for more information. For class registration via Eventbrite, search “Classes at Garden Ponds” to see the latest and find links to register.
