LILIES - RHS Lily Group

21st Annual Show of the Garden Club of Virginia at Ashland, and the NALS 16th
Annual Show at the National Arboretum in Washington (DC), she visited many of
the great names in lily growing at that time and their gardens. At the NALS show
she was delighted to meet many of her correspondents – ‘a happy experience to
pin faces to names’ as she put it. Some of them would later visit Quarry Wood.
She ended her journey in the Californian mountains looking at rare lilies in their
natural habitat. Dee recalled it as a memorable trip, full of warmth and kindness.
Dee was a charming and persuasive woman, warm and effusive, affectionate
to those she took to; but her outgoing nature concealed an inner strength and
determination – although she did not invariably get her own way. Remarkably,
during the 40 years that I knew her she always had the zest and appearance of
someone ten years younger. She was an enthusiastic networker, long before
that term gained general currency, and had many contacts at home and abroad
– particularly in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Dee was catapulted into the chairmanship of the Lily Group Committee in
1982 during the middle of a meeting, immediately following her predecessor’s
resignation. Chairing meetings was not her forte, but she proved to be adept
at spotting people with suitable talents, then recruiting and motivating them
to help the cause of lilies in general and the Lily Group in particular. During
her chairmanship she gathered about her a small nucleus of talented and hard
working Committee members to put her ideas into effect: building up the Group
by offering its members an extensive programme of lectures, shows and outings,
attractive publications, and an internationally renowned seed distribution
scheme. There were also several one-offs such as the distribution of the North
lilies in 1985, and she also devised ways of improving the financial position of
the Group. At Lily Group functions she was always highly visible, introducing
herself and welcoming members – especially new ones.
Throughout most of Mr and Mrs Simmons’ time at Quarry Wood the garden
was open to visiting gardening groups. From time to time it also hosted
international lily conferences and the Lily Group itself. Dee and her husband
Martyn were generous hosts, and on such occasions a marquee would be erected
on the spacious lawn to the south of the house where drinks and refreshments
would be served. These gatherings were very popular, and guests were free to
wander around the 15 acres of grounds whilst Maurice Woodgates was usually in
attendance. The garden suffered terribly from the great storms of 1987 and 1990
which felled many of the older trees.
Dee’s later years were, inevitably, saddened by the passing of so many old
friends. Her husband Martyn, who had been such a great support, died in 1999
(Obituary, The Times, 21 June 1999) and Woodgates followed a few years later.
Nevertheless, she continued defiantly to outface old age.
7