About PNWLS

The Pacific Northwest Lily Society was founded in the late 1970's by a small group of lily enthusiasts in the Portland, Oregon area. We have grown considerably since then, and we have about 300 members throughout the region, the nation and even the world. Some of our founding members have connections to Oregon Bulb Farms, the well-known lily hybridizing and bulb-growing operation started by Jan de Graaff, the Dutchman who came to America and revolutionized the world of lilies. Many of the people who breed and grow lilies today got their start at OBF, which introduced 'Enchantment', a famous Asiatic lily which was once the most widely grown lily in the world. Many OBF lilies are still grown today and it is safe to say that Mr. de Graaff was responsible for much of the lily's development and popularity, and indeed for the great commercial success lilies enjoy today, as both garden flowers and florist favorites.

Throughout the years we have proudly hosted four NALS International Shows, in 1981, 1987, 1994 and 2000. This annual event brings NALS members and exhibitors from all over the world to view the latest in lilies and listen to world-class speakers. (To find out more about upcoming International shows, click on the NALS link at left.)

We hold an annual Lily Celebration and Field Day to present our members and the general gardening public with the most current information about our favorite flowers and to present guest experts to an enthusiastic audience. Our ongoing mission is to promote appreciation and preservation of the genus Lilium through cultivation and education. We are happy to speak to other gardening groups to share our experiences with growing lilies, and many of us are also involved in other plant societies and garden clubs. As many Lilium species are native to the Northwest, we are also concerned about habitat preservation to assure their continued presence in our region.