Albuquerque Daylily Society
Established July 18, 1983
Website

Daylilies were first presented to the Albuquerque public in 1976 when the Council of Albuquerque Garden Clubs was encouraging local plant societies to stage monthly flower shows in their new facility. Betty Roberts suggested that the Petal Pushers Garden Club sponsor a daylily show. In 1976, the club staged their first daylily show, and a second in 1977. The judging was conducted by the National Council Judges. On June 24, 1978, the Petal Pushers Garden Club hosted an accredited American Hemerocallis Society Flower Show. Another show was hosted on June 29, 1979.

In 1983, members of Region 6 expressed a desire to hold a Regional Meeting in Albuquerque. Betty Roberts, Petal Pusher Garden Club members, and other daylily growers worked together to host the Regional Meeting.

The Albuquerque Daylily Society was organized July 18, 1983, when a group of thirteen gathered at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Lowenstein. Those in attendance were Barbara & Ralph Carrington, Faye Detry, Christine Kavanaugh, Bernard & Bonnie Lowenstein, Harold & Kathryn Neely, Lila Pariza, and L. E. "Ned" & Betty Roberts and children Betty & Ellen Roberts.

Betty Roberts served as club President for four years, and was active on a Regional and National level during that period. Later, she received the Region 6 Service Award.

In 1990, Richard "Dick" Peck was named University of New Mexico President. Dick and Donna Peck had long been interested in daylilies and were quite willing to cooperate with the club in planting a garden of all the Stout Silver Medal Award winners on the grounds of the University President’s House. The Pecks created several other beds of daylilies nearby. These gardens became show pieces as well as a learning experience for students on the campus.

1996 saw the planting of a daylily garden at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a restored 18^th century Spanish Rancho which has been made into a teaching museum. Club members planned, collected, donated plants, and spent a day planting to create this lovely showing of our favorite flowers.

In 1997, Kathryn Neely, who had been generous in gifting the club and Region with her expertise and guidance was awarded the Region 6 Service Award.

The club hosted Region 6 Meetings in 1983 (as the Petal Pushers Garden Club), 1994, 2002, 2011, and 2019.