Alex J Burnett

Vermillion, Alberta.
1922-2012

An RCAF veteran, flying instructor, and then, air traffic controller in the Korean war and for 21 years thereafter. Retired in 1972 to 22 acres and began breeding lilies after, in 1985, he visited Fred Fellner’s lily fields. He was sent home with tubs full of bulbs to begin with. Chose air force themed names for lilies because of his 30 years in the RCAF. He was particularly interested in creating a black lily. ‘Night Flyer’ was the closest he got. It was a selection from 319 siblings. Of all 319, all were up facing and had greenish- black stems except for ‘Night Flyer’ which was side facing with dark buds and a dark stem. “It is impossible to describe the beauty and calmness of being surrounded by two acres of lilies in full bloom on a hot, calm, July afternoon under blue Alberta skies. The only noise was caused by hummingbirds and butterflies enjoying the voluptuous beauty of the masses of lilies:’ (Alex Burnett after seeing Fellner ‘s lily fields during a visit in July of 1985. NALS Yearbook, 1994).

Awards and Recognition:

1. Earned the S.L. Emsweller Award North American Lily Society (NALS) 1995
2. Received the Alberta Horticultural Association “Excellence in Lily Breeding” Award 2003
3. Recipient of the NALS Regional Medal in 2005

Excerpted from “Canadian Lily Hybridizers and Their Lilies – A Working Garden Reference” by Leanne Dowd
Photo Alex Burnett, Fred Tarlton and Fred Fellner