Lee at a garden workshop of the Baton Rouge Daylily Society in 1998.

In 1996 he was Recipient of the Bertrand Farr Award from the American Hemerocallis Society for an Outstanding Hybridizer

He was also Recipient of the Regional Service Award for Outstanding Service to Region 13 of the American Hemerocallis Society

Lee was a retired Landscape Architect who had spent his career with the Army Corps of Engineers.  He had lived for many years in Mississippi and retired to south Louisiana in the daylily rich area of Prairieville.  His garden was called "Hobby Garden" but he was anything but a hobbyist - meticulous and exacting with his eye for selection. He loved and specialized in "The Reds". Many of his introductions have found their way into the genetics of our modern fancy cultivars by today's hybridizers.

Lee grew only his introductions and seedlings. He sold plants commercially but had a policy that when one of his introductions reached the $15 level or below in the marketplace, he quit selling it or growing it in his garden. His garden was re-worked each fall, the soil amended and replanted with only the best seedlings for evaluation. It was not uncommon to see approximately 3000 seedlings in his back yard garden. The raised beds were not mulched as he said the foliage covered the soil and kept it cool. He did water extensively all growing season. 

The Hobby Garden was a standing Tour garden for the Baton Rouge Club and many a member grew and continues to grow his lovely cultivars.  His last intro was he thought his best, a wonderful full white double he named in honor of his second wife Evelyn Gates. 

Lee said with the good fortune of two lovely wives, Bea and Evelyn;  he lived a life he chose and enjoyed. He liked the people, the expectation of the blooms and even admitted to relishing in the role of "being a character."

by Muriel Walker