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Dr. Steve Willson
Dr. Steve Willson from Bow, Washington grew up in Wales where he was fortunate that gardens, parks, and walks in the countryside were always part of his upbringing. In the early 1990’s Steve lived in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew lilies in his garden. After returning to London in the mid-1990’s his interest in lilies began to take off. He was a member of the RHS Lily Group and joined the Species Lily Preservation Group. In 2000 he moved to Houston, Texas where he had to put his interest in lilies aside but continued with gardening.
Fast forward to 2017 when his family moved to Washington State, on the coast, roughly halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada, in a climate that is generally very good for lily growing provided the winter-wet is counteracted by good drainage. Steve joined NALS in 2017 and started participating in the seed exchange. First as a purchaser of seed and later, when his lilies grew, as a donor.
His interests range from growing Western American species and hybrids, trumpet lilies for the general garden beds, and Asian species – particularly alpine-types and those formerly classified as Nomocharis.
Steve retired in the summer of 2024 after a long career in the oil and gas industry and, knowing the Seed Exchange Chair position was vacant, happily expressed interest in taking on this role. He is very grateful that his offer was accepted!
In his presentation Dr. Willson will talk about "A Singular Journey Growing and Hybridizing Western North American Species".
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The mission of the North American Lily Society, is to promote interest in the genus Lilium, scientific research in its breeding and culture; standardization of its varietal names; the dissemination of information concerning the above and promotion of such other purposes as may advance the culture of lilies.
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