The Lily Show on July 21 and 22 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden is presented by the New England Lily Society. Enjoy hundreds of lily flowers at the annual Lily Show. Find new hybrids and maybe discover a favorite variety among those on display. Encounter the wonderful fragrances and delight in the vibrant colors that abound in the genus Lilium. Free with admission to Tower Hill.

Programs (all free with admission, registration encouraged at http://towerhillbg.org):

Criteria for Judging Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Saturday, July 21, 2-3pm. Ever wonder why that flower won first prize? Factors considered by accredited lily judges are explained simply and clearly as we circulate around the show floor, discussing lilies in various classes. Remember, the biggest lily doesn’t always win! Robin Van Liew is President of New England Lily Society and an accredited lily judge since 2013. She grows lilies and other flowers & vegetables on two acres in Holden MA.

Growing Lilies Without Chemicals, with Jim Daniel, Saturday, July 21, 3-4pm. How can we grow lilies without chemical agents to combat the red lily beetle, fungus and other lily problems? Jim Daniel explains how he grows prize-winning lilies on three acres in Worcester without the use of chemicals. Jim Daniel is an engineer with a passion for growing lilies. He is past president of New England Lily Society, a board member of North America Lily Society and an accredited lily judge.

Flower Arranging with Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Sunday, July 22, 12-1pm. Now that I’ve grown these lilies what do I do with them? Robin Van Liew eschews the complicated armature and tricks of flower arranging to demonstrate several types of easy and simple flower arrangements using lilies, greenery, and vines for dramatic effect. Robin Van Liew is a student of Ohara school of ikebana, a form of Japanese flower arranging.

Criteria for Judging Lilies, with Robin Van Liew, Sunday, July 22, 2-3pm (see description above.)