Kelly Billing is an Aquatic Plant Specialist with more than 35 years in the wholesale water gardening trade. Her expertise continue to flourish through her work in design and consultation.
Her specialty is denitrification through beautification — understanding a plants natural ability to improve the health of an aquatic environment. As in all segments of the landscape the ‘right plant, right place’ principles apply in the water as well.
In Kelly’s work, artistic balance and effective plant use are catered to meet any clients need.
Recognized locally, nationally and internationally as teacher, Kelly has shared her expertise at venues including Longwood Gardens, The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) Symposium, Helix Summit, Water Garden Expo, Pondapalooza, Genesis 3, Cornell University Extension, University of Maryland Extension Pest Management Conferences, Chesapeake Green, Master Gardeners, as well as with garden centers, garden clubs and horticultural societies.
Most recently, Kelly was honored to travel to China to speak at the 4th Annual Shanghai Lotus and Waterlily Exhibition held at Guyi Garden and The 30th National Lotus Flower Exhibition Symposium in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. While in China she visited a multitude of Botanic Gardens including Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden and Research Facility and the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In 2008, Kelly published The Lotus, Know It and Grow It for the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS) with co-author Paula Biles, which received a bronze award from the Living Now Book Awards. In 2010 it was translated and published as a Korean edition by Chris Song. 'The Water Gardeneres Bible'(published in the UK as ' Water Gardens') was co-authored with Bem Helm in 2008. She also writes regularly for various trade magazines and water gardening publications including Pond Trade, Ponds USA, Pond Keeper, Water Gardening Lifestyles, and The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society Journal.
Kelly compiled, and continues to maintain, the Aquatic Plant Regulated & Invasive Species List for the nursery trade in the United States. Her list serves as the authoritative reference recognized by the National Plant Board; a non-profit organization of the plant pest regulatory agencies of each of the states, Puerto Rico and Guam. Her work includes nutrient uptake and water quality improvement studies with Maryland Industrial Partnership (MIPS), Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC), Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) and the University of Maryland Horn Point Lab and Sea Grant. Focused on plant and microbial denitrification for aquaculture, storm water and lake management, plants were used to treat degraded water bodies and improve water quality and health prior to discharge. All of this done with a prioritization of beautification!
Clients include Anthony Archer-Wills, LLC, David B. Duensing & Associates, David S. Brown Enterprises, Ltd., and Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, and more.
