Note from the President- The September meeting is our Annual Plant
Exchange and is typically our largest meeting of the year. Mark and Becky’s neighbor has offered their
field as a parking lot so we ask that you use the driveway as a drop off for
food and plants, then go park your vehicle across Oak Rd. in the field. Plants will be dropped off in the spot next
to the greenhouse and food will be dropped off in the new studio.
As always we ask you to not bring invasive plants to the
meeting as they will not be permitted into the exchange. We have changed the way the plant exchange
is done this year, but you can rest assured that you will go home with a few
plants to add to your garden. This
meeting is always a blast and everybody leaves with new plants (sometimes many
plants) to use in their own yard. There
are a couple of things to remember about this meeting; bring something to
exchange, each membership (single, couple, or family) gets only one name in the
drawing canister, look things over as the drawing is being held as we have to
go fast to get finished before dark, don’t bring invasive species to trade, don’t
bring any plants with known disease or insect infestation, the exchange is not
limited to plants, be
prepared to have fun, the drawing starts promptly at 6:00 and goes fast, the
drawing will be extremely high speed so be ready to jump up and pick out a plant
as this drawing goes FAST! A few things to think about when deciding
what to bring; please put a name label in each plant you bring to the
exchange, please do not bring any invasive species such as Lily of the Valley,
Houttuynia (Chameleon plant), Ostrich Ferns, Bishops Weed, etc. Suggestions of plants to bring are Hosta,
companion plants, ornamental trees/shrubs, or garden related items such as bird
houses, ornaments, watering wands, jewelry, etc.
As per the membership vote last December, the drawing for
the Plant Exchange will be done according to the number of meetings each
membership has attended from last October through August of this year. The other change voted into effect for the
exchange is that there will be a $5.00 table where the more desired plants will
be placed. When a name is drawn the
person can choose a plant from the open exchange or they can pay $5.00 and
choose a plant from the $5.00 table.
Our October meeting will feature Joseph Tychonievich from
Arrowhead Alpines as our speaker. Joseph is a knowledgeable horticulturist and
is currently working at Arrowhead Alpines in Fowlerville, MI. Joseph studied at Ohio State University and
obtained his degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Michigan State
University. Since EMHS’s purpose “is to
promote the interest of Hosta and shade gardening; to extend horticultural
education and activities to its members and the community”, this meeting will
be open to the public as an educational venue.
We look forward to seeing you at the Plant Exchange.
Sincerely,
Glen
Glen
Please
review the Minutes of the August Meeting prior to the September 12th
meeting. We will vote on the Minutes at
the meeting. The minutes are posted on the blog for your convenience.
Next Meeting- is on September 12th,
2013 at 4:30 PM at the home of Mark and Becky Hanner, 10414 Oak Rd. Otisville,
MI 48463, Ph. 810-631-4292.
Driving Directions- From our regular meeting place at the Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer; starting on M-24 drive North 5.3 miles to Columbiaville Rd. Turn Left (West) and drive 7.5 miles to Washburn Road. Turn right (North) and drive ½ mile to Main St (Wilson Rd.). Turn left (West) and drive 2.0 miles to Oak Rd. Turn Left (South) and drive 2/10ths of a miles to the house on the left. *Parking will be in the field across the road from the house, use the driveway only as a drop-off.
From downtown Otisville on M-15; turn right (Northeast) onto Wilson Rd (Main St) and drive 2/10ths of a mile to Main St and turn right. Drive 1.1 miles to Oak Rd and turn right (South). Drive 2/10ths of a mile to the house on the left. *Parking will be in the field across the road from the house, use the driveway only as a drop-off.
Driving Directions- From our regular meeting place at the Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer; starting on M-24 drive North 5.3 miles to Columbiaville Rd. Turn Left (West) and drive 7.5 miles to Washburn Road. Turn right (North) and drive ½ mile to Main St (Wilson Rd.). Turn left (West) and drive 2.0 miles to Oak Rd. Turn Left (South) and drive 2/10ths of a miles to the house on the left. *Parking will be in the field across the road from the house, use the driveway only as a drop-off.
From downtown Otisville on M-15; turn right (Northeast) onto Wilson Rd (Main St) and drive 2/10ths of a mile to Main St and turn right. Drive 1.1 miles to Oak Rd and turn right (South). Drive 2/10ths of a mile to the house on the left. *Parking will be in the field across the road from the house, use the driveway only as a drop-off.
Time
schedule of the meeting is; tour the gardens from 4:30 PM until 5:00 PM,
Refreshments will be served 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM, the Plant Exchange will be
from 6:00 until 7:30, and the business meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. We ask that everybody please help clean up
the refreshment area. Everybody is to
respect the home owner by leaving the premises no later than 8:00 PM.
Comments to the EMHS blog: I am mentioning blog posting to
let you know that your comments to the blog can be published too. All you have to do is go to the EMHS blog at http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com/
and comment to a blog posting which
will alert me that you have made a comment.
Once I deem the comment valid for publishing I will okay and it will
automatically be posted. Please note
that I cannot edit or spell check your comments, all I can do is to publish,
ignore, or delete your comments. All
comments will be screened by me to deter any vulgarity or inappropriate
comments being published to the EMHS blog.
Glen
2013
Calendar of Events:
Sept.
12th- EMHS Plant Exchange, at the Hanner’s Otisville, MI
Oct. 10th- EMHS Meeting, Mayfield Twp. Hall,
Speaker- Joseph Tychonievich
Nov 3rd- Hosta Hybridizers Group, Ann Arbor
Matthieu Botanical Gardens
Speaker- Joseph Tychonievich
Nov 3rd- Hosta Hybridizers Group, Ann Arbor
Matthieu Botanical Gardens
Nov- no EMHS meeting
December 12th- EMHS Christmas Party, Mayfield Twp. Hall
December 12th- EMHS Christmas Party, Mayfield Twp. Hall
Seeking Nominations for Officer Position- We are seeking nominations for a new
Vice-President. Nominations will be
accepted at the June meeting.
Please consider helping our organization by volunteering to be our new Vice-President.
The duties of the position are;
Vice President- Assumes the duties of President when the President is absent. Co-signatory on EMHS checking account, helps set-up hall for meetings, sends thank you notes to speakers or hosts for current meeting.
Please consider helping our organization by volunteering to be our new Vice-President.
The duties of the position are;
Vice President- Assumes the duties of President when the President is absent. Co-signatory on EMHS checking account, helps set-up hall for meetings, sends thank you notes to speakers or hosts for current 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
Moore, Dyane- Fairy houses https://www.facebook.com/GardenArtAndMoore
Moore, Dyane- Fairy houses https://www.facebook.com/GardenArtAndMoore
Pickard, Carolyn- Daylilies, Hosta. 989-871-2873, robfamily5@yahoo.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/
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 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 are $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: Barb Hunter, EMHS Treasurer,
316 Davis Lake Rd. Lapeer, MI 48746
EMHS Board of Officers:
President Glen Pace
pacegardens@charter.net 989-244-4029
Vice-President Seeking volunteer
Treasurer Barb Hunter
baha@chartermi.net 810-664-7531
Secretary Marlene Daniels
gardenfairy50@aol.com 810-664-8317
Past President Mark Hanner
mhanner@aol.com 810-631-4292
Copied from the AHS Newsletter ExchangeHOSTA COLLEGE 2013
What Makes a Good Hosta Great?
By Karen Strider-Iiames,
(Note:
Reprinted courtesy of the Central Illinois
Hosta Society in their newsletter, Great
Expectations, Volume
19, Issue 5, July 2013.
Originally published in the Spring 2013
issue of
the Miami Valley Hosta Society
newsletter, Hosta
News Scapes. The
author recounts Bob Solberg’s
presentation at this year’s Hosta
College, an
annual event organized by the Great Lakes
Region.)
Bob Solberg, a popular teacher and vendor at the
Great Lakes Region Hosta College, shared a list of
traits that he feels makes a hosta great. He is a
hosta hybridizer and owner of Green Hill Farm,
Inc., in Franklinton, North Carolina.
While there are many good hostas in the 8,000
named hostas, Solberg feels only a few are truly
"great." He said 'Sum and Substance' is a truly
great hosta: big and showy, and recognizable,
even to many non-hosta people. It survives in
many locations. ‘Guacamole,’ introduced by
Solberg, is another great hosta. He also mentioned
‘Parhelion’ that he grows in a plastic pot inside a
concrete pot.
He asked the class, "What's your favorite hosta?"
One class member mentioned ‘Victory.’ Solberg
said that is a good hosta, but the scapes can go
crazy. Another class member said ‘Rainforest
Sunrise,’ which Bob explained can get a fungus in
June. Someone else said they like ‘Paradigm.’
The point is that there are many factors that affect
how a hosta looks and grows.
Solberg noted that the American Hosta Society
measures greatness through the Benedict Garden
Performance Award: based on aesthetics,
distinctiveness, multi-seasonal interest, vigor and
environmental tolerance. The American Hosta
Growers Association chooses a Hosta of the Year.
These grow well in all regions of the country, are
widely available and in sufficient supply, and
retail for about $15 in the year of selection.
Here are the traits of greatness, according to
Solberg. Using this list will help you look at
hostas a little more critically.
1. GROWS WELL
An example is ‘Guacamole,’ especially for a
beginner. As far as growing, it's hard to beat.
Solberg explained that hybridizers don't select
seedlings based on how well they will grow, so
that can be a problem.
2. COLOR
This is why you buy a plant and it has been
Solberg's number one trait in selecting seedlings.
Colors--such as blues, greens, golds, whites and
creams – are the reason we bring a hosta into the
garden. ‘Paradigm’ is an example of a hosta with
good color. This has the best color combination in
his opinion. There's not much wrong with this
plant except the yellow may burn.
3. VARIEGATION
Solberg loves blue margined hostas with white or
yellow centers. He especially likes ‘High
Society,’ a form of ‘June,’ because the color is
tremendous. It's hard to grow and slow, but once
you get it there, it's good.
4. ACCESSORIES
Ruffles, puckers, cupping, twisting, petiole and
scape color are popular attributes. However,
having a lot of accessories doesn't automatically
make it a great hosta. ‘Candy Dish’ is a good
example of shiny and cupped leaves. But they're
slow to grow. They don't draw up the water as
well so they can rot. But it's a beautiful plant.
5. LARGE SIZE
‘Sum and Substance’ is a great hosta because of
its size. But all big hostas aren't great. However,
Solberg says a big clump of anything is good.
‘Blueberry Waffles’ is a big hosta with nice
puckering and beautiful blue color, but the flowers
bloom under the leaves. The original gets early
morning sun, so he suggests giving it an hour or
two of sun. But if you want any hosta to get big,
don't let it get too hot.
6. IDENTIFIABLE
Solberg calls it recognizability. ‘June,’ ‘Sum and
Substance,’ and ‘Guacamole’ are very
recognizable. ‘Curly Fries’ and ‘Blue Mouse
Ears’ are also recognizable, although smaller.
7. FROM A GREAT HYBRIDIZER?
Solberg said that any of us could find a sport that
will be the best hosta ever. Great hostas come
from many different sources. But some people
buy hostas based on who hybridized them.
Solberg asked the class if any of them buy hostas
based on who hybridized them. A few said they
did and mentioned Mary Chastain, Mildred Seaver
and Solberg as being among their favorite
hybridizers.
8. GENETICS
Solberg believes there’s a huge gap between what
hybridizers produce and what consumers buy.
‘Beet Salad’ is a fascinating hosta for hybridizers
because it has a little red edge on the outside of
the leaf and passes it on to its children. But it's not
the best plant for a garden because of slugs and it's
not the most attractive hosta. But for a hybridizer,
it's a great hosta.
9. NAME RECOGNITION
A bad name can ruin a great hosta and a great
name can make a good hosta great. Solberg thinks
‘Sum and Substance’ is one of the best names
ever. And ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ may be the best
name ever. Once they put that name on it, they
created mouse mania.
10. SERIES OF SPORTS
A great hosta often produces a long line of sports.
‘Cameo’ is an example.
11. AVAILABILITY
If you can't find it, it's not a great hosta, Solberg
said. ‘Sum and Substance’ is readily available all
over. And price is important. If it's too expensive,
it's not “available"” to you.
12. MARKETING
Marketing matters. Great marketing makes a great
hosta. Mostly you look at the pictures. Marketing
is mostly by the wholesaler to nurseries and
nurseries to collectors. ‘Leading Lady’ is an
example. A great hosta is marketed well.
‘Empress Wu’ is one of the best marketed hostas.
It even has its own website:
www.empresswu.com. It has the biggest leaf, but
not very blue, and the leaves are not very fancy.
Marketing has propelled it to one of the most
popular hostas. ‘Curly Fries’ also is popular
because it has been in the media.
13. CELEBRITY
We want a hosta to reach celebrity status and for
people to think it is fantastic. ‘Sum and
Substance’ is an example. Solberg says it has
faults, too, but we ignore its crazy wild flower
scapes. ‘Praying Hands’ is another celebrity plant.
14. LONGEVITY
Solberg explained how the greatness of a hosta
can change over the years. For example, ‘Patriot’
was the second Hosta of the Year and bumped out
all the other white edged hostas. But since the
edge burns in a lot of places, some people aren't as
enthralled with it as when it first came out.
‘Frances Williams’ was one of the most popular
hostas in the '80s and everybody wanted it-and
ignored the brown edges. Now it's not on the
popularity poll.
Solberg discussed some other nice hostas:
• ‘Millennium,’ wins the “huge lottery.” It has
interesting color, although not the bluest, and
grows fairly fast. It came out in 2000, thus the
name. The problem is availability.
• ‘Night Before Christmas’ has good color and
grows well for a white-centered plant. The scapes
aren't bad. It was a great hosta 10 years ago, but is
subject to slug damage. It's a wonderful plant till
you grow it for 10 years. Solberg named this
plant.
• ‘First Frost’ is also a great hosta. It's pretty
distinct and still looks good in September. It
grows reasonably well. Solberg named it and
marketed it,
though it is not his plant.
The URL below is for the
AHS Newsletter
If you have trouble viewing this newsletter, read it online
at
http://www.americanhostasociety.org/enews_archive.html
http://www.americanhostasociety.org/enews_archive.html
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