Sponsored By
March 1-2 & 7-9, 2014
MARYLAND STATE FAIRGROUNDS
TIMONIUM, MARYLAND
Free State Daylily Society
Free State Daylily Society — Booth #202H
In the summer of 1979, several Maryland members of the American Hemerocallis Society (A.H.S.) considered forming a local club dedicated to educating people about daylilies. This group, led by Doris Simpson, decided that such an organization had a place among the garden clubs at that time. Harry McCrone suggested naming the club Free State Daylily Society. The organizing members liked the name. Thus, FSDS was formed, a new club within Region 3 of the A.H.S. FSDS met at the Cylburn Arboretum mansion in Baltimore, Maryland. Early meetings featured speakers, slide shows and training sessions. From the beginning, the goal was to educate gardeners about the species Hemerocallis - a goal that continues today. As the organization grew, FSDS held flower exhibits at Cylburn Arboretum and sponsored daylily sales and auctions in the summer. Early in the existence of FSDS, the sales and auctions were held at members’ homes. For many years, FSDS maintained a daylily garden near the Cylburn Arboretum’s greenhouses. The new Free State Memorial Garden, created by the club in 2005, is now much larger and closer to the mansion. Thirty years after its founding, the Free State Daylily Society continues to be a vibrant, active organization. FSDS currently has a membership of 135 people. New members are always welcome.
