KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS Guidebook ca. 1940

Kenilwoth Aquatic Gardens

KEY TO THE WATER LILIES AND LOTUS OF KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS

1 — N* SUNRISE — Large, soft yellow blooms standing well above the water. (#) Pool - BB, HH

2 — N. SOUVENIR — (Named in memory of an attendant at the gardens who discovered the first seedling). Rose pink, very double, cup-shaped bloom held above the water (#). Blooms very early. Pool - F.

3 — N. SOFATERRE — Flower opens a soft yellow flushed with rose and then deepens through apricot to a soft red bronze the third day (#). Pool - AA.

4 — N. MRS. RICHMOND — Blossom with waxen petals of delicate violet rose. Pool - X.

5 — N. SOMPTUOSA — Originated in France, exceedingly large bloom. Its waxy double petals are faintly tinted with lavender and flecked with a deeper shade, a striking contrast to its deep orange stamens (#). Fragrant. Pool - AA.

6 — N. RADIANCE — Bloom with semi-pointed petals of iridescent shell pink that gives a two-toned effect (#). Pool - R.

7 — N. ARETHUSA — (A mythical character.) A large brilliant crimson pink flower (#). Pool - Q.

8 — N. SIOUX — (Named after Sioux Indian Tribe). Blossoms a clear yellow shading into red with age. Foliage lightly spotted with brown (#). Pool - II.

9 N. — LOOSE — (Named after a Washington florist). White flower 5-7 inches across. Opens earlier in the day than any other variety. Fragrant (#). Pool - J.

10 — N. MARLIACEA CHROMATELLA — (Monsieur Marliac had a water lily garden in France.) Bright, rich canary yellow flowers 4-6 inches across (#). Pool - R, HH.

11 — N. MARLIACEA ROSA — Similar to #10 except the flower is a beautiful shade of rose (#) Pool - G.

12 — N. MARLIACEA ALBIDA — Large white flower, fragrant (#). Pool - Z.

13 — N. JAMES ERYDON — An unusual flower of rosy crimson color, beautifully cup-shaped (#). Pool - W.

14 — GLADSTONIANA — (Irish lily named for Mr. Gladstone.) Dazzling white blooms 6-8 Inc. across with broad concave petals (#). Pool - I.

15 — N. PINK OPAL — A beautiful deep pink flower with exceptional form and color and with an attractive rounded bud (#). Developed by Mrs. Fowler ('). Pool - L.

16 — N. COMANCHE — (Named for Comanche Indian Tribe). One of the most beautiful of the chargeable yellows with orange stamens opening a rich apricot, deepening to a coppery red. Bloom raised well above the water (#). Pool - DD.

17 — N. FIRE CREST — A pink lily with a flame-colored center (#). Pool - R

18 — N. CONQUEROR — A crimson lily, similar to attraction (#35) but more cup-shaped and larger (#). Pool - CC.

19 — N. MOOREI — Flower a canary yellow much like Chromatella, but slightly deeper in color and [...missing text...]

20 — N. LAYDEKERI PUPUREA — (Names for Monsieur Laydeker, a French Officer). A semi-dwarf with carmine rose flowers (#). Pool - CC.

21 — N. ODORATA W. B. SHAW — Flowers are large and rich rose pink. Very fragrant (#). Originated in these gardens by W. B. Shaw (~). Pool - H.

22 — N. ODORATA GIGANTEA — Native lily of the southeastern states with pure white flowers (#). Pool - DD

23 — R. ODORATA — The fragrant pond lily of the northern states. The wild lily from which many cultivated varieties have been developed (#). Pool - B, D.

24 — N. ODORATA EUGENIE DE LAND — (Named for a Washington artist). A star shaped lily with many petals of deep rose pink. Very fragrant (#). Pool - H.

25 — N. ODORATA LUCIANA — An exquisite pure rose pink flower about 4-5 inches across. Fragrant (#). Pool - E.

26 — N. ODORATA ROSEA — The Cape Cod pond lily with fragrant flowers of delicate rose pink (#). Pool - I.

27 — N. ODORATA SULPHUREA GRANDIFLORA — A charming, graceful, yellow lily that raises its flowers well above the water. Very fragrant (#). Pool - Q.

28 — N. MARY EXQUISTA (MORNING GLORY) — Soft pink sweet-scented flower 5-6 inches across (#). Pool - E.

29 — N. HELEN FOWLER — A fragrant flower of deep pink, shading slightly lighter at the tips of the petals (#). Developed by W. B. Shaw and certified by the New York Horticultural Society. Named after his daughter ('). Pool - H.

30 — N. EVANGELINE — (Named for Longfellow's character of literary fame.) Similar to Eugene DeHand (#24) with exquisite pearly flesh-colored blossoms. Developed by Mrs. L, Helen Fowler (#) ('), Pool - E.

31 — N. TUBEROSA ROSEA — Flowers of an exquisite shade of pink that stands well out of the water. Buds lovely in texture and form (#). Pool - E.

32 — N. TUBEROSA RICHARDSONI — White flowers 6-8 inches across forming with numerous petals a perfect globe when fully open. The most lovely of all whites (#). Pool - K.

33 — N. TUBEROSA MAXIMA — Pure white, cup-shaped flower with strong fragrance (#). Pool - E.

34 — N. DAWN — A large dazzling white lily with sepals tinted pink. Very fragrant (#). Pool - J.

35 — N. ATTRACTION — Flower 6-7 inches across of a deep garnet, suffused with rose and stamens dark orange-red tipped with brilliant golden yellow. Sepals green without but white within touched, with garnet (#). Pool - I, Y, HH.

36 — N. ESCARBOUCLE — Perhaps the most striking, showy water lily in the gardens, Flowers are a brilliant crimson-carmine with orange-yellow centers (#). Pool - U.

37 — N. ROSE ARMY — (Named for a cousin of Mrs. L. Helen Fowler ('). Considered by some authorities as the finest hardy pink water lily in the world. It was awarded the silver medal by the New York Horticutural Society. The brilliant cerise-pink flowers, 6-8 inches across stand well out of the water. The edges of its narrow petals curve curiously inward giving an exceptional depth of color and tone (#). This was developed by Mrs. L. Helen Fowler ('). Pool - H.

38 — N. SPLENDIDA — Flowers a rich strawberry pink. Especially attractive en masse. A French variety (#). Pool - AA.

39 — N. GLORIOSA — A superb variety with deep carmine rose-colored flowers 4-6 inches across (#). Pool - T.

40 — N. MRS. EDWARD WHITAKER — The largest of the day blooming tropicals. The flower is a delicate lavender often 12 inches across (') Pool - R, EE.

41 — N. MRS. GEORGE PRING — (Was named, for the wife of Mr. George Pring who was Superintendent of the Shaw Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, Mo.) A beautiful large, white, showy flower (") Pool - R, EE.

42 — N. PENNSYLVANIA — Large flowers, rich blue in color, very fragrant ("). Pool-R, EE.

43 — N. GENERAL PERSHING — A very distinctive tropical with a most pleasing soft pink color with lighter sepals. Fragrant ("). Pool - R, EE.

44 — R. AUGUST KOCH — (Named for August Koch, head Horticulturist of all Chicago Parks). Flowers with sepals a vivid contrast in pinkish lavender (") Pool - R, EE.

45 — N. PANAMA PACIFIC — (Named for that Exposition). Flowers of an indescribable shade of reddish purple with yellow stamens touched with purple ("). Pool - R, EE.

46 — N. COERULA — (Used in conventional form in ancient Egyptian architecture). The blue "lotus" of the Nile. Flowers 4-6 inches across, pale blue, star shaped and fragrant ("). Pool - EE.

47 — N. ZANZIBARIENSIS AZUREA — (Originated in Zanzibar, Africa.) An African flower of a delightful blue shade. Fragrant ("). Pool - EE.

48 — N. ZANZIBARIENSIS ROSEA — A sister to the foregoing but with flowers of rich pink instead of blue ("). Pool - EE.

49 — N. DEVONIENSIS — (Named for Duke of Devonshire who was the first person to produce tropical lilies in captivity.) Bright rosy red flowers 8-10 inches across borne on stout stems well above the water (X). Pool - FF.

50 — N. RUBRA ROSEA — Flowers 8-10 inches across, rosy-carmine, pointed petals, broad at the base (X). Pool - FF.

51 — N. O'MARANA — (Named by Duke of Devonshire for Lord Marana.) Large flowers with reddish pink petals having nearly white stripes through center (X). Pool - P, V, FF.

52 — N. HAARSTICK — Its amazingly beautiful flower has deep red petals and striking copper colored leaves (X). Pool - P, FF.

53 — N. DENTATA MAGNIFICA — (Developed by Mr. Peter Bisset, Department of Agriculture), Flowers 8-12 inches across, creamy white with pure yellow stamens and very wide petals slightly concave, giving the bloom a cup-shaped appearance (X). Pool - P, V, FF.

54 — N, KEWENSIS — (Probably originated in New Gardens, England.) Flowers a beautiful shade of pink (X). Pool - FF.

55 — NEL, (=) SPECIOSUM (EGYPTIAN LOTUS) — Large flowers with a deep rose color shading to cream at the base of petals. Pool - E. M, N, O, GG.

56 — NELL.ROSEUM SEMIPLENUM — This lotus flower is a carmine-rose. Pool - F, GG.

57 — NEL.PEKINENSIS RUBRUM (LOTUS) — (Named for City of Pekin, China.) The flowers are very large and of a very rosy-carmine color. Pool - J, GG.

58 — NEL.PEKINENSIS RUBRUM PLENUM (LOTUS) — Similar to #57 but with flowers very double making it extremely showy. Pool - GG.

59 — NEL.LUTEUM (AMERICAN LOTUS) — A superb variety with yellow flowers native to western and southwestern states. Pool - S, GG.

More recent additions to the Gardens

60 — NEL.STRIATUM (LOTUS) — White touched with red as if a person has touched edges with a brush. Pool - GG.

61 — NEL.SHIROMAN — Cream color, double Japanese Lotus. Pool - GG.

62— N. LOS ANGELES — (Named for the City of Los Angeles.) Flower white (X). Pool - Y, P, FF.

63 — W. KENILWORTH COMET — Flower deep red (X). Pool - FF.

64 — N. MRS. N. G. HUTCHINS — Flower of this water lily is pink (X). Pool - P, V, FF.

65 — N. MRS. H. O. HITCHCOCK — Deep pink flower (X). Pool - P, V, FF.

66 — W. PRIDE OF CALIFORNIA — Flower ruby red (X). Pool - P, FF.

67 — W. FRANK TRELEASE — (Named after Frank Trelease a florist and horticulturist.) Magenta-red flower (X). Pool - P, V, FF.

68 — N, RUTH GOBER — Named for Miss Gober who has assisted Mrs. Fowler for years and who is an authority on water lilies and lotus. Flowers are pale blue ("). Pool - EE.

69 — N. ST, LOUIS — (Named for the City of St. Louis). Yellow flowers — this in the only yellow tropical lily extant ("). Pool - EE.

70 — N. AMETHYSE — As the name suggests the flowers are a delicate amethyse ("). Pool - EE.

71 — W. IZETTA JEWELL (Named for the actress Izetta Jewell). Has real dark blue flowers. Pool - R.

72 — W. O. W. WARD — (An early horticulturist). Flowers a beautiful rich pink (") Pool - R.

73 — N, PATRICIA — (Named for daughter of Mr. Charles Tricker, a water lily specialist.) flowers are a deep rose pink ("). Pool - EE.

74 — W. SHIRLEY MARIE — This water lily has soft pink flowers ("). Pool - EE.

75 — N, INDEPENDENCE — Bright blue flowers (") distinguish this water lily. Pool - EE.

76 — N. PYGMAIA — Flowers white. The smallest water lily known. Pool - II.

77 — N. PYGMAIA HELVOLA — Very much like #76 but has yellow flowers. Pool - II.

78 — N. LADEKERI ROSEA — (Refers to Ladeker, a French Officer.) Delightful rose colored flowers. Pool - II.

79 — WATER POPPY — A white poppy which thrives in water. Pool - II.

FOOTNOTES REFERRING TO CHARACTERS OF PLANTS MENTION IN KEY

(#) — Hardy day blooming lily.
(~) — W. R. Shaw was founder of the Gardens in 1882.
(") — Tender day blooming tropical water lilies, Pools - R, EE.
(') — Mrs. L. Helen Fowler, daughter of W. R. Shaw the founder of the gardens.
(X) — Tender night blooming tropical water lilies. Pools - P, V. FF.
(*) — Nymphaea, the generic name of water lilies is indicated here by W. The second name appearing in full is usually used as the common name of the plant.
(=) — NELUMBIUM the generic name of the Lotus is indicated here by NEL.

KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS

THE KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens of the National Capital Park System provide a distinctive park feature, probably not duplicated anywhere in the world. Formerly known as the W. B. Shaw lily gardens, they were acquired by the National Perk Service of the Department of the Interior late in the year 1938 and made their debut as a public institution last year. The gardens originally were founded by the late W. B. Shaw, who moved to the District of Columbia in 1880 and two years later determined to satisfy a longing for the flowers of his native Maine by transplanting some of the hardy wild varieties of water lilies from the ponds of the rock-shored state. Because his neighbors so admired his water lilies, Mr. Shaw expanded his gardens, made water plants his hobby and soon was busy importing exotic varieties, hybridising and adapting them to local conditions, creating new and lovelier varieties and, almost before he realized it, had become one of the best known breeders of aquatic flowering plants in the world. Upon his death, more than a decade ago, he was recognized as an outstanding authority on this phase of the horticultural science and the products of his gardens had been shipped to grace the lily ponds of public institutions and private estates of many lands. From the time of his passing until the acquisition of the property by the Federal Government, his work was carried on by his daughter, Mrs. L. Helen Fowler.

MIDSUMMER DISPLAY

June, July and August are the months recommended for a visit to the Kenilworth Gardens by the National Capital Parks authorities. Early in June the hardy day bloomers reach the peak of perfection and display their charm and grace. The visitor may expect to fine more than 3,000 blooms, representing some 80 varieties displaying their multi-colored beauty almost any fine June morning. Beginning in mid-July, the tropical varieties reach full bloom and the surface of the garden pools becomes resplendent with exotic loveliness.

Perhaps the most spectacular feature of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is the Eelumbium — the famous lotus of history. This class of plant is most decorative and interesting and captures the fancy of every aquatic grower. The foliage itself is covered with a small light, peach-like bloom and the flowers are very large, exquisitely tinted, giving off a delicate perfume of Oriental significance. The Egyptian Lotus (Nelumium Speciosum), reputed favorite of Cleopatra. deep rose in color, here vie for favor with Oriental and even native American varieties varying in color from carmine to pale yellow.

In addition to the water lilies and the lotus, the garden also contains choice specimens of water iris and other sub-aquatics, such as arrowhead, cat-tail, water poppy, parrot's feather, water hyacinth, water forget-me-not, and lizard's tail.

BIRD LIFE

Students of local avifauna find the abundant and interesting bird life of the Kenilworth Gardens an additional lure. The graceful blue herons, snowy egrets and other water birds which made the flower-studded pools their summertime habitat and the merry music of the scores of distinctive songsters is common to the area. The ruby-throated hummingbird, the mocking bird, mourning dove, woods thrush, whippoorwill, cardinal, robin and wren are prominent among this group. The osprey and an occasional bald eagle have bean known to visit the locality and wild ducks and other waterfowl are frequent visitors during the winter months. The Kenilworth Gardens are within the Anacostia Park boundaries and all of the wildlife are protected under the established law which makes the District of Columbia a wildlife sanctuary.

The early bird gets the best view of the Kenilworth Gardens and the park officials recommend a visit between 8:00 A.M. and noon. The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens can be reached from downtown Washington by driving east on E Street to the 15th Street, Maryland Avenue, Bladensburg Road and Benning Road intersection (N.E.) - thence east on Benning Road to Kenilworth Avenue - north on Kenilworth Avenue to Douglas Street, N. E., where a sign will invite you to turn left to the gardens. (See inset map)