Touching


We were very curious where the name Cliff Tiffany for this beautiful waterlily came from. The easiest way to find that out is to ask the hybridizer himself, so that’s what we did.  We asked Fourth Generation Nursery in Mendon, Massachusetts.  We were a little overwhelmed by their answer and we want to share it with you, exactly the way they told it to us.

Cliff Tiffany was an avid water gardener who ran a very successful water garden center from his home during the active ’90s with a large following of hobbyists.  He was a “plant geek” & a regular customer at our wholesale nursery.

Texas Sunset becomes Cliff Tiffany

Nymphaea Cliff Tiffany
Nymphaea Cliff Tiffany

When we first separated the lily (then un-named) we asked his opinion if it was unique and attractive enough to be worth introducing – he responded with an emphatic YES!

During the slow process of building up the supply, we settled on the name “Texas Sunset”, but as Cliff fought a losing battle with a cancerous brain tumor our crew and I decided to name it after him.

The last time I visited Cliff (in hospice care), I brought him a framed close-up of the lily, signed by all of us, and told him of our decision to name if for him.  It brought tears to both of us, but as we entered it in the IWGS new lily trial, with the help of Rolf Nelson and Mike Swize of Nelson Water Gardens numbers increased more rapidly in the warm Texas seasons.

Nymphaea Cliff Tiffany
Nymphaea Cliff Tiffany

Winning the “Best New Hardy Waterlily” award in 2009 and its increasing popularity have brought many fond memories of Cliff to our minds.

As I look at that pool full of “Cliff Tiffany” lilies, I can still picture him, puffing on his pipe and giving it an admiring look.

The world would be a poorer place indeed if it were not for those that love plants and encourage their growth.

After all that was Adam’s first job in the Garden of Eden!!!

by Fourth Generation Nursery