Dr. Mike Grossmann – Daylily Hybridizer & Research Scientist
Northern Lights Daylilies West Concord, Minnesota

Originally from Iowa, Mike Grossmann holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Mayo Clinic. He completed postdoctoral work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and spent the majority of his scientific career researching cancer at the University of Minnesota. Mike retired from research in 2015.

Since 1999, Mike has focused his passion on hybridizing northern-hardy daylilies in southern Minnesota. His breeding program emphasizes flowers with bold eyes and edges, extravagant toothy forms, and large unusual shapes—especially in shades of purple and red. To date, he has introduced 147 cultivars, with he and his wife Kathleen anticipating over 30,000 seedlings in bloom next summer.

Mike and Kathleen operate Northern Lights Daylilies, offering his introductions and selections through his website. He is excited to share his experiences and hybridizing work with fellow enthusiasts at Lilyhemmer 2025.