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CPLS Plots Bulb Sales Gardenscape Meetings Scholarships & Support
Lily Plots
The CPLS plots were established in the early 1990s through the effort of our members: Art Delahey, the late Andy Dingwall, John Bond, the late Shirley McKercher, Jim Smart and Stan Dunville. The results of their hard work are three viable lily plots: one located on the grounds of the University of Saskatchewan, called the Heritage Lily Plot; and two located on private property, the McKercher Plot and the Smart Plot.
Members are encouraged to help with the maintenance of these plots - it's fun and a great learning experience.
The Heritage Lily Plot is located in the Horticulture Sciences Experiment area of the University of Saskatchewan. This plot showcases the work of early prairie hybridizers such as C.F. Patterson, A.J. Porter and many other Canadian hybridizers. The plot also serves as a gene pool for current and future hybridizing projects.
The McKercher and Smart Plots located on private holdings are not open to the public. Arrangements with the Society can be made to view the lilies on these plots. It is these plots which provide CPLS with bulbs for our annual bulb sales; and the plots serve as an information base on the various aspects of growing lilies on the prairies - moisture regimes, fertilization programs and weeding strategies.
Bulb Sales
CPLS sponsors three bulb sales each year. The current Chairperson is Ted Markus; and he with the help of members make these sales a success. Money raised at the sales is used primarily to finance four scholarships in horticulture science and related activities of the society.
The majority of the bulbs for sale are raised on our plots, other are donated by CPLS members, and a few "newer" varieties are purchased from commerical growers on the Canadian prairies.
The Fall Membership Sale is held in early September, a list is sent out with the fall newsletter and members then send in their orders which can either be picked up or can be mailed to them. Our members have first choice at the bulbs offered for sale.
The Public Sale of lily bulbs is held in late September at a local Mall; and then the following spring bulbs are available at the annual garden and yard show- Gardenscape.
Gardenscape
Gardenscape is an annual garden and yard show held each March at the Prairieland Exhibition Center in Saskatoon. This event began in the late 1980s and has grown exponentially! CPLS has taken part each year since the show's inception.
Art Delahey and Ted Markus are our current Gardenscape chairpersons. They with help of the membership have provided the Society with a very successful advertisement of CPLS to the public.
At Gardenscape CPLS has advertized its various activities, promotes the genus Lilium as an excellent choice for prairie gardens, and provides the public with useful cultural information.
Meetings
CPLS holds at least two members meetings a year. The Spring Annual General Meeting and Seminar; and the Fall Frolic, a general information meeting. At the AGM only members may vote on CPLS business. Both meetings provide an opportunity for members and non-members to meet fellow lily enthusiasts and fellow gardeners.
Executive meetings are held four times a year. These meetings deal with issues to maintain the Society athough attended by the exceutive and directors member input is most welcome. Members are encouraged to bring their concerns to any executive or director or to arrange to attend an executive meeting. Members interest is vital to maintaining a strong Society.
Scholarships & Support
When finances allow the Society is able to contribute to education and to research projects in horticulture and specifically to lilies.
Over the years CPLS has contributed to lily reserach through the North American Lily Society Research fund, the Dept of Horticulture Science, University of Saskatchewan, as well as to research devoted to the red prairie lily, L. philadelphicum.
At present CPLS sponsors four annual scholarships, each at $1000, in horticulture. Two scholarships are given at the University of Saskatchewan, and two are given at the Olds College of Agriculture, Olds, Alberta.
In 2004 the Society has donated funds towards the publication of a book on the Prairie Lily written by Bonnie Lawrence and Ann Leighton. This book will be available in 2005 in time to celebtate the 100th year of Saskatchewan entering the Canadian Confederation.