Declan Whelan, 2025 Show Chair

 

 

2025 Report from Chair, Declan Whelan

 

Ontario Regional Lily Society

The Ontario Regional Lily Society held its Fifty Eight annual show in the Atrium at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario on July 19 and 20, 2025. There were 98 stems entered throughout 18 different classes. Being a late show for us, the OT section was the largest by far.

This year we had a single bloom section of 68 entries. The visitors were encouraged to vote for their favourite and this was very popular. Interestingly Anastasia was voted first.
The show also included a full floral design section of 26 entries, including a class of four large floor designs in the centre of the hall.

Many thanks to RBG for allowing us to use the Atrium and for their help with the event.

Horticultural Section

The President’s Award for the best stem in the show and the Charles Robinson Award for the best named Division VIII hybrid went to Anthony MacFadyen for ‘Pink Jazz’

The James C. Taylor Sweepstakes Award for the most first place ribbons in the show went to Brian Bergman with 15 firsts

The E. Frank Palmer Award for the best stem of a named Trumpet or Oriental hybrid was won by David Maltby with ‘White Henryi’

The North American Lily Society Award for the best three stem entry was awarded to Brian  Bergman for ‘Touchstone’, ‘African Lady’, and ‘Northern Delight’

The T. Ross Martin Award for the best named strain or unnamed hybrid went to Anthony MacFadyen for a “Purple Pencilling” seedling from Peter Schieman

The Isabella Preston Award for the best stem of an Asiatic, Trumpet or Oriental seedling lily grown from seed by the exhibitor went to Brian Bergman for a trumpet T-10-19

The William D. Evans Award for the best stem of a seedling from other divisions, grown from seed by the exhibitor went to Brian Bergman for a OT OT-25-22

The Fred H. Hayes Award for the best stem of a lilium species was won by Kathleen Lang for L. lancifolium

The Gordon Brown Award for the best stem exhibited by a novice was won by Michelle Lynch with ‘Kaveri’