East Marlborough Township in Kennett Square in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Royal Water-Platter/Santa Cruz Water-Platter
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 25, 2025
1. Royal Water-Platter/Santa Cruz Water-Platter Marker
Royal Water-Platter
Victoria amazonica
Nymphaeaceae (Waterlily Family)
Guyana & Amazon Region
Santa Cruz Water-Platter
Victoria cruziana
Nymphaeaceae (Waterlily Family)
North Argentina, Paraguay, & Bolivia
Royal Parents
These two Victoria species come from different parts of South America. In the 1960s, we bred them to create our Longwood Hybrid water-platter.
In nature, these plants live on river floodplains, blooming during the wet season as the water rises. Their immense leaves, sized for capturing sunlight, are armored with spikes to compete for space.
Behind the Scenes
Each year, we hand-pollinate these night-blooming flowers to produce seeds for the following year. During pollination, we cover the flowers to protect the fertilization process.
Erected by Longwood Gardens.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.
Location. 39° 52.371′ N, 75° 40.739′ W. Marker is in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. It is in East Marlborough Township. It can be reached from Longwood Road west
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Longwood Hybrid Water-Platter (here, next to this marker); Waterlily Court (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Waterlily Court (a few steps from this marker); Historic Potting Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Bonsai Courtyard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); English Yew (about 500 feet away); London Plane-Tree (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named English Yew (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 25, 2025
2. Royal Water-Platter and Santa Cruz Water-Platter Display
Other markers no longer nearby. Main Fountain Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Pierre S. du Pont, Fountain Visionary (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); An Engineer's Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 13, 2026
3. Royal Water-Platter/Santa Cruz Water-Platter Marker
Royal Water-Platter
Photographed by Pete Skillman, June 13, 2026
4. Royal Water-Platter/Santa Cruz Water-Platter Marker
Santa Cruz Water-Platter
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 33 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
