Water Lily Planting Tips, Tricks Take Centerstage At Networking Event

ST. CHARLES, IL — Plant enthusiasts, pond professionals and social media influencers will gathered for a unique multi-day event at Aquascape in St. Charles in June.

More than 100 hardy waterlilies — including 34 distinctive varieties curated by Jordan Reece of Aquatic Oasis and cultivated by Steve Stroupe of Davis Creek Nursery —will be planted during the networking extravaganza on June 2 through June 4 at Aquascape, 901 Aqualand Way in St. Charles, according to Aquascape officials. Attendees will also get to enjoy "the vivid beauty of tropical waterlilies provided by Thomas Holt of Holt Nurseries."

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All of the waterlilies are being introduced into Aquascape’s 250-foot long signature pond, according to a news release from Aquascape.

Greg Wittstock, who is known as the "pond guy" at Aquascape," will lead the event and has spent years traveling the world to document, build, and promote aquatic features. Wittstock emphasizes the need for better planting and care of waterlilies—an often-overlooked component of pond ecosystems.

The event aims to kickstart a national movement celebrating the ecological and aesthetic importance of aquatic plants, according to Aquascape officials.

“This is more than just a planting project,” Wittstock said. “It’s a rallying cry to give waterlilies the spotlight they deserve—both in private landscapes and public green spaces.”

The event will feature live planting demonstrations, n expert panel and roundtable forum on best practices for the promotion of pond plant and waterlily care, networking opportunities with top professionals and enthusiasts and extensive filming and content creation for Aquascape’s audience of more than five million social media followers.

"This waterlily planting and networking event is the first of its kind, with pond plant experts from around the country in attendance," Jennifer Zuri, marketing manager for Aquascape, told Patch.

Here is a look at the schedule of events for the networking event:

Monday, June 2

• Check-in at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 155 38th Avenue, St. Charles
• 5 to 9 p.m.: Networking dinner reception at Aqualand, 901 Aqualand Way

Tuesday, June 3

• 8 to 11 a.m.: Coffee and donuts available
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Planting event — more than 100 waterlilies encompassing 34 varieties from Jordan Reece of Aquatic Oasis and grown out by Steve Stroupe of Davis Creek Nursery, will be repotted and placed in the 600,000-gallon Signature Pond at Aqualand. Tropical waterlilies and marginal pond plants from Thomas Holt of Holt Nurseries are being planted in the pond and wetland filter.
• 12 to 1 p.m.: Lunch at Aquascape
• 1 to 4 p.m.: Best practices and social media presentation/discussion
• 6 p.m.: Networking dinner

Wednesday, June 4

• 6:30 to 8 a.m.: Breakfast networking
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Filming/pictures
• 8 to 11 a.m.: Coffee and donuts available
• 12 to 1 p.m.: Lunch/end of event