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’
Design section
Mother Earth came to the RBG
By Anne Harbord, Co-Chair ORLS Lily Show Design Division
Our Lily Design Show this year featured a focus on Mother Earth, with all classes based on an indigenous theme. Our Design Show booklet featured a beautiful text on Mother Earth, with our wonderful lilies forming the backdrop for the Show Schedule. (See above). All 26 classes were filled with wonderful interpretations of the Class Titles. Let’s take a journey through this sacred space.
Class 1 Sacred Circle – a necklace design. This was the first time in over 20 years that we did not require Lily parts in a design.
Exhibitors created many interpretations of a necklace. The first-place design by Sandra Williamson of the Garden Club of Toronto contained porcupine needles. This design also won the Judge’s Choice Award.
Class 2 Lake of Shining Waters – a design with the visible use of water.
This class could include designs that were underwater, water viewing, visible use or any other creation of the designer. The winner of this class was Kathleen Lang of the Garden Club of Toronto who chose to emulate an Asian style called Moribana which beautifully interpreted the title.
Class 3 Reverie – a design interpreting art or sculpture.
The first-place entry was by Anne Harbord of the Garden Club of Ottawa which interpreted a painting named “Indigenous Reverie”.
Feathers were used in the Design to mirror those used in the painting.
Class 4 Dreams – a Catcher Mobile.
This class demonstrated the architectural skill of the designers to have the designs hanging from a dowel placed across the top of the niche.
The first place was awarded to Connie Bijl whose delicate handling of the mobile elicited many comments from attendees.
Class 5 Light to Darkness – a design reflecting sunrise to sunset.
Every design in this class had totally different design concepts which all captured the essence of Light to Darkness.
Nora Hovland, a new exhibitor, won first- place and Best in Show. For her exquisite design.
Class 6 – Three Sisters – a Floor Design
This is the second year we have had a floor design in the centre of the Atrium.
Our journey ends with a creative design by first time exhibitor Susan Li which received a first-place award.
Our thanks to our Design Schedule Committee, George Coomber, Anne Harbord, and Mary-Ann Vercammen. George did all of the graphics and text for the Design schedule and the posters for each class. His lily photographs from various ORLS Shows were used as the backdrop for the graphics. Some members may recognize their lilies! Mary-Ann and Anne appreciated his insight and creativity in developing the class titles. Our visitors were very complimentary of the efforts of all of our designers who did a wonderful job interpreting this creative schedule.
Elizabeth Schleicher did another amazing job as our Registrar, Show Photographer and results recorder.
Our six convenors worked hard this year to fill all of the classes. Many thanks to some of our seasoned convenors and some first-time convenors – Linda Hawker, Iris Waung, Connie Bijl, Frances Ellison, Michelle Lynch and Lil Taggart.
Class 1 Sacred Circle – A Necklace Design
First Place Sandra Williamson Judge’s Choice Second Place Lil Taggart
Third Place Rose Scales
HM Anne Harbord
HM Elizabeth Schleicher
HM Mary-Ann Vercammen
Class 2 Lake of Shining Waters – Design with Visible Use of Water
First Place Kathleen Lang
Second Place Elizabeth Matheson
Third Place Sandra Wilson
No Placement Iris Waung (no lily in design)
Class 3 Reverie – Design Inspired by Art or Sculpture
First Place Anne Harbord
Second Place Elizabeth Matheson
Third Place Virginia McKinnon
No Placement Iris Waung (no lily in design)
Class 4 Dreams – A Catcher Mobile
First Place Connie Bijl
Second Place Kathleen Lang
Third Place Loretta Czernis
HM Sandi Remedios
Class 5 Light to Darkness – Design Reflecting Sunrise to Sunset
First Place Nora Hovland
Second Place Sandra Williamson
Third Place Jan Middleton
HM Sue Medhurst
Class 6 Three Sisters – A Large Floor Design
First Place Susan Li
Second Place Sandra Williamson
Third Place Lil Taggart
HM Liz Campbell
Results prepared by Elizabeth Schleicher
We have now closed the collective Sacred Circle of this beautiful Design Show which captured not only the beauty of the lilies but also stirred the human spirit of both our participants and visitors. Many thanks to everyone who participated to make this Lily Design Show a most wonderful experience.
ORLS 2025 Show Results Design Section
Placement after Judging
Class 5 – Light to Darkness
First and Best in Show by Nora Hovland
Class 1 – Circle of Life. First and Judge’s
Judge’s Choice by Sandra Williamson