American Aquatic Gardens – New Orleans

In one of the most fascinating cities of the world you can find a wonderful place for people who loves water plants, it is “American Aquatic Gardens” owned by Rich and Bill, located in New Orleans, near the famous French Quarter, famous place for music and mystery.

Rich is one of the most kind and friendly person I ever met, he treat you like a king, you feel like home everywhere with him, is awesome talking with him about water lilies, he can help you in any kind of problems about that.

I’m really proud to meet that man, that is a legend of hybridizing water lilies, he works most on tropical ones, common tropical (Brachyceras) and Australian ones (Ancechpya).

Many are the crosses he created with those water lily varieties and species, one of his last introduction is Nymphaea “Betty Lou” in memory of his beloved sister.

What will follow is a short history written by Rich Sacher about his passion and work.


HISTORY OF AMERICAN AQUATIC GARDENS
Rich Sacher grew his first water lilies when he was 16 years old, living in New Jersey. He built a pond and waterfall in the back yard, and bought two mail order tropical water lilies for the pond. One was a light blue flower, Pamela; the other lily was a beautiful pink, Gen. Pershing. These two water lilies began a lifelong passion for water lilies.

After graduating from university, Rich moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where the tropical climate was perfect for growing tropical water lilies. He built several ponds on residential properties which he had bought and renovated. He sold water lilies on Saturday mornings only, since this was still a part time hobby. In the 1980’s, all money from the sale of water lilies was given to a charity which helped support people with AIDS. This created a mailing list of about 200 people.

In 1980, Rich volunteered to furnish and maintain the lilies for New Orleans Botanic Garden, and he began giving lectures on water gardening. The lectures were very popular, and he decided to start a nursery for aquatic plants. In 1990, he and business partner Bill Dailey bought commercial property near the famous French Quarter, and opened the very first (and only) aquatic garden nursery in New Orleans.

Business grew so fast that in two years we bought more property, to give us more space for lilies, fountains, sculpture and colorful plants for the garden. We also have an extensive gift shop, with decorative items for the home and garden.

It has been 60 years since I grew my first water lily, which has blossomed into a very well known nursery with 10 employees. For 38 years now, I have been donating and maintaining the lilies at our botanic garden. Water lilies brought me to the founding meeting of the International Water Gardening Society at Longwood Gardens, over 30 years ago; Water lilies have taken me around the world, and introduced me to many wonderful people. There will always be a special place in my heart for Pamela and General Pershing, who inspired this teenager to appreciate and celebrate all the beauty that nature presents to us, every day of our lives.