Fitz’s Fish Ponds Welcomes the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society
Sep 24th 2025
On August 14, 2025, Fitz’s Fish Ponds proudly hosted the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS) during their annual symposium week. The group toured both our Milford Farm and our Saddle River retail store, getting a behind-the-scenes look at our operations and discovering how our team combines koi, aquatic plants, and design to create beautiful water gardens.
About the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society (IWGS)
The IWGS is a nonprofit organization that brings together a highly diverse community. Its members range from backyard hobbyists who enjoy a simple pond at home, to commercial nurseries that grow koi and aquatic plants, botanical gardens with large waterlily and lotus collections, and researchers or hybridizers dedicated to conserving species and developing new varieties. What unites them all is a shared goal: to promote education, conservation, and innovation in water gardening. By sharing knowledge and passion among these groups, the IWGS has become a leading force in keeping the water gardening industry vibrant and sustainable.
Fitz’s Fish Ponds is proud to be a Victoria Sponsor of the IWGS, supporting their mission to preserve and promote aquatic plants and water gardening worldwide. Our partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to education, conservation, and community within the industry.
IWGS Annual Symposium 2025: Tours, Lectures & Events
Each year, the IWGS hosts its Symposium, a multi-day event designed to unite members through tours, lectures, and hands-on experiences. The 2025 Symposium took place in New York from August 12 to 16, with visits to the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Aquascapes Unlimited, as well as our Fitz’s Fish Ponds locations. The Symposium offers attendees rare opportunities to go behind the scenes, exchange ideas with fellow enthusiasts, and learn directly from professionals who are advancing the fields of aquatic plant care, koi husbandry, and water garden design.
IWGS Symposium Visit to Fitz’s Fish Ponds Farm in Milford, NJ
For Fitz’s Fish Ponds, participating in this year’s Symposium was both an honor and a celebration. The day started at our Milford Farm, where Brian Fitzsimmons, Lauren Nolan, AJ Mandell, Jim Cudworth, Emily Lane, and Brianna Yeomans led tours through our greenhouses, koi facilities, and demonstration ponds. Guests had the opportunity to see our world-class Japanese koi up close, explore the systems that support large-scale aquatic plant propagation, and walk among vibrant displays of mature waterlilies, lotus, and marginal plants.
The farm gave attendees a unique look at how Fitz’s Fish Ponds balances production, innovation, and ecology, all while keeping our fish and plants healthy year-round. There was time for Q & A and to gather, network, and enjoy the beautiful day.
Touring the FFP Saddle River Store, formerly Waterford Gardens
From Milford, the group of 55+ IWGS members traveled north to our Saddle River retail store, where Tom Swinarsky and the FFP Saddle River team welcomed them for the second stage of the tour. This location holds a special place in water gardening history. Formerly known as Waterford Gardens, it was once a renowned destination for aquatic plants and pond enthusiasts. Many IWGS members remembered visiting Waterford Gardens in their youth and were excited to return, sharing stories about their first encounters with rare waterlilies and exotic pond plants on those same grounds.
As they wandered through the property, several attendees remarked on how wonderful it was to see the site not only preserved but revitalized under the Fitz’s Fish Ponds name. Today, the Saddle River location continues that legacy with renewed gardens, lively plant collections, and a fresh sense of purpose. For IWGS members, this stop was more than a tour—it was a return to a beloved place, now reimagined for the future.
Building Community in Water Gardening: Lessons from IWGS 2025
Hosting the IWGS Symposium was about more than showcasing our facilities. It was an opportunity for knowledge exchange, where experts and enthusiasts from around the world could share their perspectives and experiences with our team. For IWGS members, it was a chance to see how Fitz’s Fish Ponds has grown into a leader in both koi and aquatic plants. For us, it was a reminder of the importance of community, collaboration, and the shared passion that unites this industry.
The day highlighted why gatherings like the Symposium are so important. They build connections that cross borders, encourage innovation, and motivate the next generation of water gardeners. At Fitz’s Fish Ponds, we are thankful to have been part of this year’s journey and look forward to continuing to support the mission of the IWGS in the future.
