EMHS February 2019 Newsletter

Note from the President- Eastern Michigan’s winter this year has been mild in comparison to years past, but according to the weather predictors we could be seeing some of the typical winter weather soon. 
 
This past November the gardens got a covering of snow which lasted a couple of weeks, then the weather warmed enough that all snow was melted and the gardens have been frozen, but with no snow cover.   I was out taking pictures of the garden’s evergreen perennials last week which normally occurs as a January thaw.   The lack of snow cover is not especially good for our gardens as the snow is the most economical insulator we could ever obtain for our gardens.   Freeze drying is what happens to exposed plant material during our winters, but under the snow the frigid winter winds do not desiccate the plants.    A lot of the plants we grow in our area require a dormant period with cold temperatures.   Hosta require approximately one month of dormancy below 40 degrees to emerge as a stronger healthier plant than went dormant the previous growing season.  This requirement means for the temperature to consistently stay below 40 without daytime warm up.   Another benefit of snow is that it gives much needed moisture to the plants as it melts in the spring.    So even though most of us would probably much prefer a one-month winter with temperatures just under 40 degrees versus what we get in our area, we endure the winter so that we can enjoy the spring emergence of our beloved Hosta and gardens.  

This year EMHS has a wonderful line-up of speakers this year.   Kicking off the season with Esther Benedict from Indiana is going to be a treat.    Esther is a fascinating lady that grows something for everybody.   In her gardens you will find water plants, alpine plants, shade plants, orchids, evergreens, hyper-tufa, and one of the most knowledgeable gardeners you could ever meet.   Esther also raises Dart Frogs for any herpetology gurus in the group and tillandsia for those that love air plants.  The February meeting will be a great introduction to the new year for EMHS. 
 
We have Aaron Strouse coming back in April to give us another presentation featuring his photographic skills.   Aaron always gives a wonderful presentation and having him as a “back by popular demand” speaker for the third time gives you an idea of how well his presentations are received by the membership. 
 
You can check out the rest of the EMHS plans in the Calendar of Events below. 
 
For informational purposes, I want let the membership know that at meetings where we have a guest speaker, we will not have a complete business meeting.    We will not review a financial report, but any current member is welcome to go ask our Treasurer Barb Hunter to see the current financial records.  
 
Attached to this newsletter you will find the 2019 Annual Plant Sale.   The Fund-Raising Committee has done a wonderful job finding some wonderful plants to offer as our 2019 EMHS fund raiser.   You can review the flier and Cathy will discuss the Sale at the February meeting.

We look forward to seeing you all at the February 14^th meeting featuring Esther Benedict as our guest speaker, presenting “Trials, Triumphs, and Tragedies of Benedict’s Garden”. 

Glen Pace
EMHS President

Next Meeting- is on February 14^th at the Mayfield Twp. Hall, 1900 N. Saginaw, Lapeer, MI 48446.  This is our regular meeting place located just south of the point of M-24 and N. Saginaw, (the driveway just north of the Cemetery).   

Our speaker for the evening will be Esther Benedict of Benedict Gardens in Nappanee, IN.   Esther has some of the most unique gardens you will see in the mid-west.   She also has a skill for propagating some very unusual plants which she sells at the nursery.   Esther will present-
“Trials, Triumphs, and Tragedies of Benedict’s Garden”.    Esther says, “This program includes info on how I take cuttings, sow seeds, different methods of growing and caring for alpines in the garden, other topics that are still in the experimental stage”.

The time schedule for the evening is;
1700-   Doors open/ Networking
1800-   Refreshments/Potluck
1900-   Speaker/Program
2000-   Break2015-   Business meeting

EMHS Calendar of Events 2019
Feb 14- Esther Benedict, Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer, MI
Mar 15 & 16- Hosta College in Piqua, OH
April 11- Aaron Strouse, Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer, MI
May 9- Eldred Steinkoph, Mayfield Twp. Hall in Lapeer, MI
June 13- Garden Tour at The Gavits in Saginaw
July 11- Garden Tour at The Trotts in Columbiaville
Aug 8- Garden Tour at The Marttilas in Lapeer
Sept 12- EMHS Plant Exchange, at Sun Crest in Lapeer
Oct 10- Chris & Connie Green at Mayfield Twp. Hall Lapeer
Nov 14- Board Meeting at Whitey’s in Davison
Dec 12- Annual Christmas Party, Mayfield Twp. Hall Lapeer, MI
 
Review the December 13^th, 2018 Meeting Minutes on the blog.  We will vote to accept the minutes at the February 14^th, 2019 meeting.

Name Badges- If you need one of the new EMHS name badges, please put your printed name on the sign-up sheet at any meeting or you can email Glen with your request.  Glen will try to have your name badge at the next meeting. 

Club Members selling Hosta or Related Products-
Please call or email to set an appointment before visiting
Brown, Deb- Aeroponic Tower Garden.
     505-379-9100, www.debbrown.towergarden.com
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- Hosta.  
     989-871-2873, robfamily5 @yahoo.com

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

Websites of Interest:

American Hosta Society- http://www.americanhostasociety.org/

American Hosta Society Convention Website- http://www.americanhostasociety.org/Activities/Conventions.htm
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 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

Saginaw Valley Hosta Society, Dues $20 per year per household, Make check payable to SVHS and mail to: Gordon Burnside, 11640 W Freeland Rd. Freeland, MI 48623

EMHS Board of Officers:
President                   Glen Pace
  pacegardens@charter.net    989-244-4029
Vice-President             Becky Hanner
  BGHanner@aol.com             810-631-4292

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

Fund-Raising        Mick and Cathy Hodgson
  cehodgso@hotmail.com       810-664-8985