2020 Carolina Service Award Winner: Robert Selman
Robert Selman is the winner of the 2020 Carolina Service Award. Actually, he was nominated by two different people. The following is a composite of both their nomination letters.
It is easy to see evidence of Robert Selman’s work in educating people about daylilies through the various social media groups and upon visits to Blue Ridge Daylilies. Robert readily shares his wealth of knowledge to promote daylilies and the enjoyment of daylilies with everyone who asks – from novice gardeners to experienced hybridizers.
Upon visiting his garden or his social media sites, it is evident that Robert is an artist who uses daylilies as his medium. The first glimpse of the garden from around the curve as you drive in is a favorite view of mine. It is just a peek into Robert’s world, a magical place filled with birdhouses, hats, experiences, expertise, and a veritable Eden of plant material that is all set to showcase the genus Hemerocallis.
As a hybridizer, Robert has given us Aliens in a series, explained Walmartians, made me want to explore various parts of Asheville, brought Wacky Dragons back, schooled us in Abstract Geometry and Weird Science, set Lofty Expectations, and helped all to see the Sunny Side of the Street. He has registered close to 300 daylilies at this point.
Robert worked to help bring the 2014 national to our region, and the 2022 convention will be hosted here due to his tireless efforts. He has served as a local club president and continues to speak to a variety of interested groups.
Robert has always been very generous to local clubs when traveling and at regional and national events. His giving nature is an asset to all who visit the garden and he has greatly contributed to the joy of growing daylilies. Many a new daylily enthusiast has been born and cultivated at his daylily farm through his hard work and ambassadorship. Robert’s willingness to serve and share his time and plants are evidence of his dedication to promoting daylilies and our region.
For many years, Robert has provided our region and the nation with a garden oasis of beauty, wonder and pure joy with row after row of well-grown daylilies and many other plantings that add intrigue to the whole garden experience. Many of us in Region 15 have enjoyed the beautiful gardens at Blue Ridge Daylilies and more than a few of us make the trek to Blue Ridge Daylilies an annual outing. This multi-club picnic has become a homecoming of sorts for daylily and plant lovers. At the picnic, everyone is welcome, food and beverages are provided, and multiple drawings are held for new intros. Sharing daylilies and the joy of daylilies has become a way of life for Robert.
Robert received the RW Munson Award for 'Alien DNA' (Sellman 2009) in 2017, along with 2 AM’s, 13 HM’s and 4 Junior Citations in recent years for his fine hybridizing work. He has also been awarded the Region 15 Jeffcoat Award for ‘Alien DNA.’
Robert regularly encourages garden visitors to join the ADS and a local daylily club and to get involved in regional events. In support of this region, he has generously donated a large number of plants on a regular basis to our regional spring and fall meetings.
Robert is an ambassador for daylilies – his wealth of knowledge, sense of community in ADS, and love of people and plants make him a strong candidate for the Carolina Service Award.
Submitted separately by Michael Luther and Jean-Marie Smith photos left and top Eric Simpson, above Robert Selman
It is easy to see evidence of Robert Selman’s work in educating people about daylilies through the various social media groups and upon visits to Blue Ridge Daylilies. Robert readily shares his wealth of knowledge to promote daylilies and the enjoyment of daylilies with everyone who asks – from novice gardeners to experienced hybridizers.
Upon visiting his garden or his social media sites, it is evident that Robert is an artist who uses daylilies as his medium. The first glimpse of the garden from around the curve as you drive in is a favorite view of mine. It is just a peek into Robert’s world, a magical place filled with birdhouses, hats, experiences, expertise, and a veritable Eden of plant material that is all set to showcase the genus Hemerocallis.
As a hybridizer, Robert has given us Aliens in a series, explained Walmartians, made me want to explore various parts of Asheville, brought Wacky Dragons back, schooled us in Abstract Geometry and Weird Science, set Lofty Expectations, and helped all to see the Sunny Side of the Street. He has registered close to 300 daylilies at this point.
Robert worked to help bring the 2014 national to our region, and the 2022 convention will be hosted here due to his tireless efforts. He has served as a local club president and continues to speak to a variety of interested groups.
Robert has always been very generous to local clubs when traveling and at regional and national events. His giving nature is an asset to all who visit the garden and he has greatly contributed to the joy of growing daylilies. Many a new daylily enthusiast has been born and cultivated at his daylily farm through his hard work and ambassadorship. Robert’s willingness to serve and share his time and plants are evidence of his dedication to promoting daylilies and our region.
For many years, Robert has provided our region and the nation with a garden oasis of beauty, wonder and pure joy with row after row of well-grown daylilies and many other plantings that add intrigue to the whole garden experience. Many of us in Region 15 have enjoyed the beautiful gardens at Blue Ridge Daylilies and more than a few of us make the trek to Blue Ridge Daylilies an annual outing. This multi-club picnic has become a homecoming of sorts for daylily and plant lovers. At the picnic, everyone is welcome, food and beverages are provided, and multiple drawings are held for new intros. Sharing daylilies and the joy of daylilies has become a way of life for Robert.
Robert received the RW Munson Award for 'Alien DNA' (Sellman 2009) in 2017, along with 2 AM’s, 13 HM’s and 4 Junior Citations in recent years for his fine hybridizing work. He has also been awarded the Region 15 Jeffcoat Award for ‘Alien DNA.’
Robert regularly encourages garden visitors to join the ADS and a local daylily club and to get involved in regional events. In support of this region, he has generously donated a large number of plants on a regular basis to our regional spring and fall meetings.
Robert is an ambassador for daylilies – his wealth of knowledge, sense of community in ADS, and love of people and plants make him a strong candidate for the Carolina Service Award.
Submitted separately by Michael Luther and Jean-Marie Smith photos left and top Eric Simpson, above Robert Selman
The Carolina Service Award, known as the Willard Gardner Service Award until 2004 and as the Region 15 Service Award from 2004 until 2015, is designed to recognize outstanding service to AHS Region 15. This award is currently sponsored by Mid-Carolina Daylily Society.
This award can be granted purely for service to the AHS mission in one’s local community alone; however, service elsewhere within the region or at the national level certainly adds extra weight to the nomination. Generally, it should require a variety of activities, and it should reflect service over a period of time, not just for one or two years. No award should be given or expected as a “thank you purely for holding an office. One’s leadership and impact are more important than simply holding office.”*
Any Region 15 member(s) may nominate an individual or couple who work together that he/she deems worthy of the Carolina Service Award. The nomination letter should include detailed reasons for the nomination—specific examples of why this person is worthy of the award. The letter may be sent via e-mail or the USPS to the Awards Management Chair and must arrive on or before Sept. 1. Contact information for the person making the nomination is required.
The RP, RPD, Secretary/Treasurer, and two past winners of this award will constitute the selection committee for the award. The current Board and Awards Committee members are not eligible, nor are previous recipients.
The Award will be presented at the Region 15 fall meeting by the president of the sponsoring club or the president’s designee.
Recipients of the Carolina Service Award
John Martin (2019)
Kathy Tinius (2018)
Jim and Jane Sovine (2017)
Becky Hinshaw (2016)
Rebecca Board (2015).
Nancy Womack (2014)
Heidi Douglas (2013)
Ann Cobb (2012)
Cindy Dye (2011)
Ed Zahler (2010)
Curtis Barnes (2009)
Ray and Wanda Quinn (2008)
Mildred Hood (2007)
Herman Pruitt (2006)
Charles Douglas (2005)
Becky Adams
Don Albers
Linda Sue Barnes
Likie "Reggie" Register
Van Sellers
Harvey and Edith Horne
Bill Green
Mildred Goble
Jim and Peggy Jeffcoat
Mary Alexander
Ken Cobb
Stephen Baldwin
This award can be granted purely for service to the AHS mission in one’s local community alone; however, service elsewhere within the region or at the national level certainly adds extra weight to the nomination. Generally, it should require a variety of activities, and it should reflect service over a period of time, not just for one or two years. No award should be given or expected as a “thank you purely for holding an office. One’s leadership and impact are more important than simply holding office.”*
Any Region 15 member(s) may nominate an individual or couple who work together that he/she deems worthy of the Carolina Service Award. The nomination letter should include detailed reasons for the nomination—specific examples of why this person is worthy of the award. The letter may be sent via e-mail or the USPS to the Awards Management Chair and must arrive on or before Sept. 1. Contact information for the person making the nomination is required.
The RP, RPD, Secretary/Treasurer, and two past winners of this award will constitute the selection committee for the award. The current Board and Awards Committee members are not eligible, nor are previous recipients.
The Award will be presented at the Region 15 fall meeting by the president of the sponsoring club or the president’s designee.
Recipients of the Carolina Service Award
John Martin (2019)
Kathy Tinius (2018)
Jim and Jane Sovine (2017)
Becky Hinshaw (2016)
Rebecca Board (2015).
Nancy Womack (2014)
Heidi Douglas (2013)
Ann Cobb (2012)
Cindy Dye (2011)
Ed Zahler (2010)
Curtis Barnes (2009)
Ray and Wanda Quinn (2008)
Mildred Hood (2007)
Herman Pruitt (2006)
Charles Douglas (2005)
Becky Adams
Don Albers
Linda Sue Barnes
Likie "Reggie" Register
Van Sellers
Harvey and Edith Horne
Bill Green
Mildred Goble
Jim and Peggy Jeffcoat
Mary Alexander
Ken Cobb
Stephen Baldwin