For the first time in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens’ history, the giant tropical water lily Victoria cruziana, has grown successfully. The species is native to Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay and featured prominently in French Impressionist Claude Monet’s famous series of works.

Victoria cruziana produces very large leaves and, crucially for its cultivation in Gibraltar, it can tolerate somewhat lower temperatures.  However, growing it outdoors in the Mediterranean still requires considerable skill and the success has largely been down to the horticultural expertise of Gardens employee Guillaume Le Texier, who had experience growing the species at other botanic gardens.

Only a handful of other gardens around Europe, grow this species. The Gibraltar Botanic Gardens are this Summer attempting to replicate a drawing published in the ‘Illustrated London News in 1800s, that include the lilies.

The Victoria lilies are growing in the pond of the Alameda Open Air Theatre, together with a range of other attractive aquatic plants.  The Theatre is normally out of limits to the public when performances are not being held, but the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens will be holding an open day at the Theatre on Saturday 31st August between 10am and 2pm, so that visitors can see the Victoria lilies.

Photo courtesy of Noelle Berllaque