Dr Ieuan Evans

Spruce Grove, Alberta.
1940 –

Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph, Ontario from 1969-1974, followed by a long career as a forensic plant pathologist, provincial plant tissue specialist, Alberta Agriculture, 1974-2002. Earned the nickname ‘Dr. Copper’ because in the 1980s he discovered that 40% of Alberta’s cropland was deficient in copper and cereal production was impacted. Also devel­oped a disease control program that is estimated to have saved canola growers between 300 and 500 million dollars.

Works independently as an agronomic diagnostic consultant, forensic plant pathologist and micronutrient specialist. Millions of his Evans cherry trees grace yards in North America. Began seriously cross breeding Asiatic lilies in 1990 which culminated in production of ‘Gwyneth Evans’ in 1996. He was introduced to martagon lilies by Fred Tarlton who gave him a large packet of seed in 1996. Marvin Joslin played a role in making martagons available as well. His focus is on hybridizing and growing martagons as an additional source of income in retirement. He has made it his objective to show how easy lily propagation can be via scaling and seeding. He prides his ability to offer martagon lilies at more reasonable prices.

Doesn’t consider himself a hybridizer in the true sense of the word as he allows mother nature to create his crosses rather than utilizing a purposeful, selected pollination program. Distributes thousands of seeds under his treeline each year and draws promising seedlings from these stands. Has selected a hundred or so seedlings as having potential to be registered from tens of thousands of seedlings. At this time, he has 50-60 martagons and 20-30 Asiatics he feels are worthy. Began tinkering with Asiatics in 1990 using ‘Gwyneth; ‘Bruno’ and ‘Lillas’ as parent material. Has given numerous speeches and gardening courses and is a prolific writer.

Awarded the Agri-Trend Agrologist of the Year 2010 by the Alberta Institute of Agrology. Inducted into the Alberta Agricultural Hall of Fame 2012. Has garnered many, many show awards, a complete listing of which would be impossible. A sampling includes: NALS President 2012, 2013, Isabella Preston Award, Mears-Mersereau Award, Barrie Strohman Award NALS 2017. Wallace Windus Award NALS 2016; NALS David Griffiths Award, Claude Shride Award, Jan de Graaff Award, Emerson Hickling Award and Ed Robinson Award, all in 2018.

“Once you’ve grown martagons you’re hooked and no other lily or plant species will substitute”
(Ieuan R. Evans, NALS Yearbook)

Excerpted from “Canadian Lily Hybridizers and Their Lilies – A Working Garden Reference” by Leanne Dowd
Photo courtesy of Ieuan Evans