We're thrilled to introduce the exceptional lineup of speakers who will be sharing their expertise in daylily hybridizing at this year’s event. This year's speakers include names you're sure to know - and some you may be hearing for the first time. We'll dive into the art and science of creating beautiful, unique daylilies. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or new to the world of hybridizing, this is your chance to learn, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights to take your passion for daylilies to the next level.
University of Tennessee - Jackson
Jason Reeves grew up on a farm in West Tennessee, where he fell in love with the plant world. He received his Master’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 2002, he became a research horticulturist and curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens located at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Jason’s colorful plant combinations and unique garden art, made by recycling everyday objects, draws several thousand people to the Center's annual lawn and garden show, Summer Celebration. His past experiences include work at the Opryland Conservatories in Nashville, Missouri Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, and in private gardens in New Zealand. When he’s not bringing the grounds to life with his imaginative garden displays, he’s evaluating hundreds of new and unique plants for the state’s green industry; speaking at gardening symposiums or traveling the world leading gardening tours, and serving as a contributing editor to Fine Gardening magazine. He is also a landscape designer and consultant whose influence may be seen in landscapes across Tennessee in the form of distinct plant combinations. You can follow him on Facebook at Jason Reeves – in the garden.
American Hemerocallis Society
Melodye Campbell’s daylily journey began in the late 1980s, when she ordered her first plants from the White Flower Farm catalog for her garden in Western New York. In the early 1990s, she discovered the Rochester, NY garden of hybridizer Dick Bennett, whose encouragement led her to join the American Hemerocallis Society in 1992—launching more than three decades of dedicated involvement. A founding member of the Finger Lakes Daylily Society, Melodye went on to serve as its second president. She later contributed to Region 4 as RPD, RP, and ultimately Director. Her six years as Region 4 Director were especially memorable, giving her the opportunity to work closely with former AHS Presidents Julie Covington and Nikki Schmith. During that time, she also served as the AHS Awards & Honors Chair and presenting the Society’s awards at annual conventions remains one of the great honors of her service. In 2021, Melodye and her husband, Jim, brought 300 daylilies with them when they relocated to Hendersonville, NC. Mel's garden reflects her eclectic taste, featuring a diverse array of daylilies—from extra-large and large flowers to unusual forms, spiders, polys, doubles, small flowers and, of course, miniatures. Melodye currently serves the AHS as its Archivist and Historian and always tries to incorporate AHS history into her presentations.
Windswept Farm and Gardens
Ashton Lopp - Windswept Farm and Gardens Ashton Lopp and his dad, Terry Lopp, operate Windswept Farm & Gardens in central Oklahoma. Ashton’s love of daylilies began at age nine while growing up next to his grandfather, an avid gardener whose favorite plants were daylilies and irises.
Clement Daylilies
Bret Clement – Clement Daylilies
Carmel, Indiana
Bret Clement is a semi-retired attorney who began growing daylilies approximately 35 years ago as a solution to a landscaping problem. After a few years, he realized he had created something beautiful almost by accident—and soon began hybridizing.
Bret has been active in many areas of the daylily world. Shortly after becoming serious about daylilies, he co-founded the Hoosier Daylily Society and later served as its president. He is also a member of the Indiana Daylily and Iris Society, where he has served for many years as classification chair for the exhibition show.
For the past 18 years, Bret has served as general counsel to the American Hemerocallis Society. He has also served two terms as President of AHS Region 2, as well as regional meeting chair and chair of the Region 2 Winter Symposium.
In 2015, Bret received the Howard Hite Award, presented annually to a Region 2 hybridizer in recognition of hybridizing excellence. His daylilies have also received six Honorable Mention awards.
To date, Bret has introduced 296 daylilies. Many of his introductions are diploid unusual forms, along with a smaller number of tetraploid introductions. His hybridizing program focuses on clear color, interesting form, and strong plant performance.
Ellison Daylilies
