Valley
K Greenhouses was established with a lot of hard
work (and apprehension) in March of 1990 on an acreage
located just 1/4 mile south of the scenic Battle River
Valley, southeast of Camrose, Alberta, Canada.
Click here for detailed directions
on how to find us, including our business hours.
We started selling
our plants at the local Farmer's Markets. I remember
telling my husband when we moved here that one day he
would look out the kitchen window and see nothing but
flowers - he laughed at me then, wondering how I was
going to do that when the pasture came right up to the
step and the surface all around was either rock or sand!
We've moved a lot of black soil around and on to this property
to accommodate the landscaping ideas as they develop,
as well as choosing plants that can live in the native
conditions. Some days I wish I wasn't so ambitious,
because it's a lot of work, but it's all worth while
when I hear people say they can't believe this is the
same place. I like to think we've inspired many people
in the area to keep up their own yards, and we've made
it easy to do so by providing many of the items needed
in a good landscape, so close to home!
Our goal from inception
has been to provide our clientele with quality plant
material at an affordable price. We are confident our
prices are very competitive WITHOUT any sacrifice to
quality. We strive each and every day to improve our
service and selection, enjoying the satisfaction that
comes from mingling with fellow gardeners and surprising
them with unadvertised specials. Our philosophy
has always been that "No matter the profit, honesty
is still the best policy." and on the subject of
competition, "Competition should make you better
at what you do, so everyone benefits - customers get
better service and better products - we get more customers!"
It's simple really. If you look at it any other way,
you don't have enough faith in your service or products.
In 1994 we began
to wholesale our greenhouse
products to local stores, and in 1997 we launched our
mail order division. With
this arm of the business, we sell hardy lily bulbs,
with a specific focus on Asiatic & L.A. hybrids,
although we do sell the odd trumpet & oriental lily
as well. Many bulbs are grown here on our acreage,
and provide a splendid display from mid July through
the end of September. In 1999, we began purchasing
some bulbs directly from a few breeders
as we were running out of time and space to propagate,
and there was a definite need to increase our variety
list. Even though we purchase many varieties directly
from the breeders, we still grow at least a bulb or
two of each variety we sell, just for evaluation purposes,
and for your viewing pleasure.
We have had a web site since 1997, adding
a catalog of lilies
in the Fall of 1998. Secure ordering was in place
by the Fall of 1999. In January 2003 we launched this
site, plantlilies.com dedicated completely
to our love of lilies, and to seperate it from
our general gardening site, valleyk.com. In 2004 we purchased a large lily collection
from a private grower, and replanted thousands of bulbs
here in the fall. This has increased our selection
to over 1000 unique varieties of lilies, with the stem
count numbering in the thousands. We also made
a decision to discontinue the growing and selling of
annuals, ornamentals and bedding plants, starting in
2005. Now we can focus on our true passion, lilies!
In an effort to accommodate the growing
number of people wishing to view and purchase the lilies
through the summer months, we host Open Gardens, typically from mid July to mid August. Because
weather has such a tremendous influence on the bloom
period of the lilies, the specific dates are to be announced
as we get closer to summer. We always have a good variety
of lilies potted so you may take them home immediately
if you wish, along with a great selection of perennials,
clematis and hardy rose bushes available for sale all
season long. If you
wish to come in the months of April through June or after mid August, please
call ahead to confirm that we will be available on the
day and time you choose. Looking forward to meeting
you!
