Thursday, July 26, 2012

August 2012 Newsletter


Note from the President- Last night was the first full inch of rain this season.  This is far too late in the season to make any improvement in the looks of the gardens, but it is a big benefit to the plants even if they have gone dormant for the year.  This is the time of year when the Trilliums are putting on new root growth in preparation for next year’s blooming season, so for them this particular storm was of great significance.  This storm will also facilitate the second seasonal growth for the Japanese Maples and our beloved Hostas.  It is this second flush of growth that makes the late season garden refreshed with new color. 
                A big thank you goes out to Patricia and Patrick Major for hosting the last meeting.  For those that missed the last meeting………you missed a gorgeous setting.  After reaching the driveway you drove ½ mile back into the woods to reach the clearing for the house which is situated on 15 acres on Shinanguag Lake.  Patrick says that Shinanguag is Genesee County’s best kept secret and he is right.  I had no idea that there was any lake around here that was so beautiful and clean.  The terraced gardens leading down to the lake contain many newer varieties of Hosta some of which Patricia purchased from fundraising sales of EMHS.  If you walk the shoreline of the lake you find where the two natural springs from the Major’s property feed into the lake.  The unique art work placed at the lake shore is complimentary to the waterfront as well as intriguing to look at.  At the opposite side of the property were pathways leading into the woods.  Following these paths gave visitors a glimpse into the wonders of “The Moss Lady” and “The Caretaker” which are moss creatures created by the Majors’.  The pathways were lined with Hosta and a multitude of companion plants including many Arisaema triphyllum that were huge and had enormous seeds cones on them.  In short, this is one of the most unique gardens I have seen in a long time and the Majors’ are to be commended on their beautiful home/gardens as well as their hospitality. 
                I have now finished updating the 2012 EMHS Directory of Members.  If you would like a printed copy of the updated Directory, please call me (989-244-4029) so I can have a copy at the meeting for you.  I will email the Directory out to the general membership after the August meeting to make sure we have any new memberships listed. 
                As was discussed at our last meeting, the Saginaw Valley Hosta Society has been invited to join us for our August Meeting.  We look forward to sharing our passion for Hosta with the SVHS members.
                Please remember to bring your chair and a dish to pass to the August  9th meeting.  Parking for the meeting will be at the bank on the corner.  You can easily walk to Barb’s from the bank parking lot.   
Sincerely,
Glen
Next Meeting- Our next meeting is on August 9th, 6:00 PM at Barb Hunter’s house, 316 Davis Lake Road, Lapeer, MI 48446. Phone 810-664-7531.  This is a regular summertime member garden tour meeting.  We will tour the gardens from 6:00-6:30 PM, serve refreshments/eat from 6:30-7:15, then have the business portion of the meeting from 7:15-8:00PM.
            Please remember to bring a dish to pass for the potluck and don’t forget your chair.  Since we have gotten some rain you may also want to bring some insect repellent. 
Driving Directions- one mile further south on M-24 than the Mayfield Twp. Hall turn off.
           
(from I-69/M-24) – Drive 3 miles north on M-24 to Davis Lake Road, turn left (West) to 4th house on right.  Please park at the bank on the corner of M-24 and Davis Lake Road and walk to Barb’s. 

2012 Calendar of Events:
August 9th- at Barb Hunter’s in Lapeer.  Member Garden Tour
September 13th at the Hodgson’s in Lapeer.  Annual Plant Exchange
October 11th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Rick Adams speaker
November- No meeting scheduled
December 6th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Annual Christmas Party

Hosta Stones- The 2012 Hosta Stones featuring Ron Livingston’s 2008 introduction H. “Alakazaam” are for sale.  The regular member cost is $30.00 for Natural and $5.00 more for colored.  Non-member price is $35.00 for Natural and colors $5.00 more.  Call Cathy Hodgson at 810-664-8985 to place your order. 
            Cathy is also asking for suggestions for Michigan hybridizer’s for the 2013 stone.  Please direct any suggestions to Cathy.
 
Annual Plant Exchange- is the Sept 13th meeting.  Plan what you want to bring to the exchange.  No Bishops weed, Houttuynia, Lily-of-the-Valley, etc.   We will discuss this further at the August Meeting. 

Club Members selling Hosta or related products;
Please call or email to set an appointment before visiting
Hanner, Mark/Becky- Pottery.  810-631-4292, mhanner@aol.com
Hunter, Barb- Hosta, Daylilies, Pond supplies. 810-664-7531, baha@chartermi.net
Lisik, Phil/Ginger-Hosta, Daylilies, other plants.  989-642-5772, lisik46@yahoo.com
Pickard, Carolyn- Daylilies, Hosta.   989-871-2875, robfamily5@yahoo.com
Canning, Rob- Lakeside Hostas.  810-714-1885, robslakesidehostas@gmail.com
Salk, Pat/Bill Kapustka, Daylilies.  810-678-3519, daylilyabode@msn.com
Smith, Stan/Mary Lou, Concrete leaves, toad houses.  989-845-3455 smlsmith@chartermi.net

Websites of Interest:
American Hosta Society- http://www.americanhostasociety.org/
American Hosta Society Convention Website- http://www.hosta2012.com/
AHS Hosta Library Website- http://www.hostalibrary.org/
Michigan Hosta Society Website- http://www.hostahappenings.com/
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog-
http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com/
Hosta College Website- http://ihostohio.com/portal/glhc/

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society
,  $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years
Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Michigan Hosta Society,
Dues is $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Mary Smith, EMHS Treasurer, 3431 Swaffer Rd, Millington, MI 48746

If you have information to be added to the EMHS Newsletter, please email it to Glen at pacegardens@charter.net.  Please email the info at least two weeks before the next scheduled meeting to have it included in the newsletter.  Information can be added to the EMHS blog at any time but only by the blogmaster, email Glen or reply to the blog for blog additions. 

EMHS Board of Officers:
President Glen Pace
pacegardens@charter.net 989-244-4029
Vice-President Carolyn Pickard
robfamily5@yahoo.com 989-871-2873
Treasurer Mary Smith
brooktrout@tds.net 989-871-9833
Secretary Marlene Daniels
gardenfairy50@aol.com 810-664-8317
Past President Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292
Fund-Raising Mick and Cathy Hodgson
cehodgso@hotmail.com 810-664-8985

Monday, July 2, 2012

July 2012 Newsletter


Note from the President- After an odd winter/spring for us Michigan gardeners we are experiencing an odd summer.  We had spring weather in February, winter weather in March, April, and May, and now we are having August weather in June.  At Pace Gardens in Clio we have had no rainfall for over two months.  The hoses are stretched across the yard, the well is running consistently from morning until dark, and the plants are still suffering.  Daily watering has saved most plants from death, but many which were damaged from breaking dormancy in February only to face freezing temperatures for the next three months, are now being stressed even more by having to endure severely high temperatures and drought.  There is just no good way to make up for a natural rainfall. 
I want to thank the Vrable’s for hosting the June meeting.  As always, the Vrable’s gardens were spectacular.  Jim’s hybridizing efforts being displayed on the tables as leaf centerpieces is a fantastic way to let everybody see what he is doing with all those seedlings he raises.  Those leaves were big enough to make a parasol for a child with a single leaf.  Jim and Ellie, your graciousness as hosts for the June EMHS meeting was very much appreciated by all who attended. 
We have a number of new members in EMHS, welcome Helen Wischmeyer, Christina Withrow, Darlene Nadane, and Joyce Jahr. 
After the July 12th meeting we will go to Rick Adams’ Laidback Gardens Daylily Farm.  Rick has offered to let us tour his gardens until dusk.  We thank you Patricia Major for coordinating this event for EMHS’ members. 
See you July 12th,
Glen

2012 Calendar of Events:
July 12th at the Major’s in Goodrich.  Member Garden Tour
August 9th- at Barb Hunter’s in Lapeer.  Member Garden Tour
September 13th at the Hodgson’s in Lapeer.  Annual Plant Exchange
October- No meeting scheduled
November- No meeting scheduled
December 6th at Mayfield Twp. Hall, Annual Christmas Party

Next Meeting- Our next meeting is on July 12th, 2012 at 6:00 PM at Patrick and Patricia Major’s, 10491 Horton Road, Goodrich, MI 48438, phone 810-444-9814.
Driving Directions-
           
(from M-24/I-69) - Take I-69 West toward Flint and drive 10 miles to Exit 145 (M-15).  Turn left (South) onto M-15 (State Road) and drive 9.6 miles to Horton Road.  Turn right (West) onto Horton Road and drive 0.8 miles to destination on right. 
            (from I-75) – Drive south on I-75 to Exit 108 (Holly Road).  Turn right (South) onto Holly Road and drive 0.5 miles to Baldwin Road.  Turn left (East) and drive 4.9 miles to Gale Road.  Turn right (South) onto Gale Road and drive 0.6 miles to Horton Road.  Turn left (East) onto Horton Road and drive 1.9 miles to destination on left. 
            After the meeting we will drive to Rick Adam’s Laidback Gardens Daylily Farm.  Rick is a Daylily hybridizer with extensive gardens and sales areas.  The gardens are on M-15 about 10 minutes from the meeting.  The address is 6117 State Road, Goodrich.  Rick’s phone number is 810-636-7416. 

Garden Tours- the Lapeer Master Gardeners Tour is July 21st, 2012 from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM.  Tickets are available from Barb Hunter and Marlene Daniels.  Tickets are also available from Burke's Flowers in Lapeer, Campbell's Greenhouse North Branch and the Lapeer Conservation office Master Gardener’s room.
Pat Salk and Bill Kapustka’s daylily gardens will be open "by appointment only" for most of the month of July. We can be reached at 810-678-3519 or daylilyabode@msn.com please write "garden visit" in the subject line or it will go to junk mail.
Hosta Stones- The 2012 Hosta Stones featuring Ron Livingston’s 2008 introduction H. “Alakazaam” are for sale with more in production.  The regular member cost for this year’s stone is $30.00 for Natural and $5.00 more for colored.  Non-member price is $35.00 for Natural and colors $5.00 more.  Call Cathy Hodgson at 810-664-8985 to place your order. 
Membership Dues- If you have not yet paid your 2012 EMHS Membership dues please do so by sending your $5.00 check made out to EMHS, to EMHS Treasurer Mary Smith, 3431 Swaffer Road, Millington, MI 48746.  Mary will have the most up to date printout of the membership list at every meeting if you need to check on your membership status.

Websites of Interest:
American Hosta Society- http://www.americanhostasociety.org/
American Hosta Society Convention Website- http://www.hosta2012.com/
AHS Hosta Library Website- http://www.hostalibrary.org/
Michigan Hosta Society Website- http://www.hostahappenings.com/
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog-
http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com/
Hosta College Website- http://ihostohio.com/portal/glhc/

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society
,  $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years
Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Michigan Hosta Society,
Dues is $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Mary Smith, EMHS Treasurer, 3431 Swaffer Rd, Millington, MI 48746

Midwest Hosta Convention
The Midwest Hosta Convention is taking place July 12, 13 and 14, 2012.
 http://midwest8.apollohosting.com/midwesthostasociety.org/convention.html

EMHS Board of Officers:
President Glen Pace
pacegardens@charter.net 989-244-4029
Vice-President Carolyn Pickard
robfamily5@yahoo.com 989-871-2873
Treasurer Mary Smith
brooktrout@tds.net 989-871-9833
Secretary Marlene Daniels
gardenfairy50@aol.com 810-664-8317
Past President Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292
Fund-Raising Mick and Cathy Hodgson
cehodgso@hotmail.com 810-664-8985


If you have information to be added to the EMHS Newsletter, please email it to Glen at pacegardens@charter.net.  Please email the info at least two weeks before the next scheduled meeting to have it included in the newsletter.  Information can be added to the EMHS blog at any time but only by the blogmaster, email Glen or reply to the blog for blog additions.  

June 14th, 2012 Meeting Minutes


The Meeting was held at Jim and Ellie Vrable’s in Chesaning, MI on June 14th, 2012. 

Networking and viewing the Vrable’s gardens began at 6:00 PM. 

Refreshments were served at 6:30 PM. 

Business Meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM by President Glen Pace.  Visitors and new Members introduced themselves and were welcomed to the meeting by Glen.

Plant Raffle- of Hosta “Double D” netted EMHS $74.00.  The plant was won by Mick and Cathy Hodgson. 

Hosta Stones- an update of Hosta Stone inventory was given by Cathy Hodgson.  There are no old Hosta Stones left in inventory, so anybody wishing to purchase an old stone will have to order the stone at the full price.  Still in inventory is the 2012 Stone featuring Alakazaam in both Brown and Iron colors.

Local Tours- the Michigan Hosta Tour is on June 30th, 2012 in the Saginaw area.  The June newsletter as well as the EMHS blog has details on this tour.  The Lapper Area Master Gardeners Tour is on July 21st, 2012 from 9-5 (see Barb Hunter or Marlene Daniels for tickets).  The Genesee County Master Gardeners Tour is July 21st, 2012. 

Blog- Glen asked that members please email or call him with information for the blog or newsletter.  Any local garden tours or Hosta related topics can be posted to the blog for informational purposes. 

Next Meeting- is on July 12th, 2012 at the Major’s in Goodrich, MI at 6:00 PM. 

Adjournment- at 8:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Glen Pace
EMHS President