Nature

The World’s Greatest Waterlily Collection Available for Viewing in San Angelo

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The premiere collection of waterlilies in existence is on display at Civic League Park in San Angelo. Now you have the chance to see “…huge Victorias, the spectacular Nymphaea ‘Blue Cloud’, the largest collection of Intersubgeneric Hybrids (ISGs) displayed anywhere and of course cutting edge new hybrids from the best hybridizers around the world,” and, of course, the official Texas State Waterlily. With six ponds and at least 150 species at any one given point, the International Waterlily Collection (IWC) is in stark contrast to the general surrounding of San Angelo, but it’s a welcomed oasis in the Texas sun!

Receiving its designation as such a paramount assortment by the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society, the IWC was made possible by Ken Landon – a retired engineer and lifelong botanist. Landon foresaw the preservation requirements for waterlily heritage and has dedicated his life to ensuring this is done in the most effective and beautiful manner possible. Many of the species on display have gone extinct in their traditional habitats, but here in San Angelo, they’ve found a home-away-from-home where they can thrive. Through Landon’s work, the IWC was even able to provide the seeds for the re-introduction of the Lily of the Nile to the river of the very same name in Egypt!

Pre-Eminent Waterlily Collection Available for Viewing in San Angelo

Photo: Facebook/International Waterlily Collection

The collection has grown to such a vast extent that Landon is only able to display approximately one-half of one percent of it annually, making for new blooms to view annually. On display at Civic League Park (a link for directions is provided here), visitors can anticipate best viewing times between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily. For the opportunity to see the most blooms, or if your preference is hard waterlilies and ISGs, you’ll want to arrive at the park for a time period of 6 – 8 a.m. Those wishing to see tropical waterlilies in bloom should be there between 7 and 10 a.m. (depending on weather conditions.) Of particular interest, the Victoria water platters and tropical night-blooming waterlilies will bloom between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., but you’ll also be lucky to catch sight of them in the morning as they don’t close up their bloom until approximately 9 a.m.

Pre-Eminent Waterlily Collection Available for Viewing in San Angelo

Photo: Facebook/International Waterlily Collection

The best time of year to visit the International Waterlily Collection is now, throughout the summer and on into the early fall (due to Texas temperatures in the warmer months.) Considering the fact that Civic League Park is a public place which is open 24 hours per day, the collection is available for viewing at any point. Although some hard waterlilies and ISGs will bloom year-round (except in the instance of snow and ice conditions), the display’s website states that the optimal time of year for viewing the majority of blooms is from July to September – when San Angelo will host its annual LilyFest. So, what are you waiting for? Get your camera and head on out to Civic League Park in San Angelo for a chance to capture some of the most stunning images of this pre-eminent collection. To get a glimpse of what you can expect, visit the IWC photo gallery on its website, a link to which is provided here.