James C Taylor

Guelph, Ontario
1898-1976

Early interest in lilies began in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England. Serious interest started in 1935 when he met E.F. Palmer. Following finishing secondary education, was stationed at Vineland Horticultural Station in Vineland, Ontario (now called the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario), where he worked for many years with its Director Dr. E.F. Palmer, a deeply committed lily breeder who acted as a great influence. Subsequently became Assistant professor of Horticultural Science in the Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College, University of Guelph where he embarked on lily breeding.

He bred to get the color and flowering habit of amabile with the vigor, robust growth and stem bulbils of L. lancifolium. Created the Ontario Bird series of Asiatics. He didn’t retire from the University of Guelph until 1974 at the age of 76.

North American Lily Society (NALS) President 1953. Honorary President and charter member of Ontario Regional Lily Society (ORLS). The ORLS established the James C. Taylor Sweepstakes Award for the exhibitor receiving the most first place ribbons in his honor.

Excerpted from “Canadian Lily Hybridizers and Their Lilies – A Working Garden Reference” by Leanne Dowd