Lilies: Jewels in the Garden

Peggy Nerdahl started growing lilies in 2008. She has about 200 different lilies in raised beds in Chaska, Minnesota, about 10 martagons, a lot of Asiatics, about 30 MN hybrids, oriental trumpets, trumpets, Longiflorum Asiatics, a couple species lilies and her favorite, some Longiflorum Orientals. Besides being a big purchaser at the fall and spring North Star Lily Society bulb sales, Peggy starts lilies from scales and from bulbils. Peggy is hybridizing Asiatics with a current goal of trying to make more ruffly Asiatics. This involves starting lily seeds and growing them under lights during the winter. In her spare time she volunteers at the Arboretum on Monday evenings on a garden crew, helps care for the MN Hybrids lily garden at Arneson Acres in Edina, is vice president of North Star Lily Society and has served as the editor of the North Star Lily Society newsletter for the past 2 years. In her non- gardening time she is a full-time Licensed School Nurse in Shakopee Schools.