Northern Illinois Hosta Happenings

Transcription

1 May 2002 Issue 37 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE There is so much to discuss I hardly know where to start. Perhaps the next event would be the best place to begin. The Chicago Botanic Garden Exhibit is always fun. We would like to have more members participate by selling their plants, bringing Hosta leaves to display, or just coming to help out. It is a good opportunity to meet the public and share some of the knowledge that you have acquired with those that are just getting interested in Hostas. Look for information in the newsletter that Dawn Anderson has included and be sure to come. Northern Illinois Hosta Happenings Publication of the Northern Illinois Hosta Society The Hostatality Walkabouts (individual garden walks) are good events to attend and you might consider bringing a friend that is just getting interested in gardening with Hostas. Many of the gardens that we visit are spectacular. Guests of members are welcome at the Hostatality Walkabouts. These events are not open to the general public; so, if you do invite guests, please attend with them. This year s first Hostatality Walkabout will take place in Naperville on June 9 th and the second on June 23 rd in Crystal Lake. More information in a flyer in a few weeks. The NIHS Bus Tour on July 28 th is to Indianapolis; you will find more information and the registration form in this issue of the newsletter. It is longer than any of the other trips so far so rest up beforehand. We have been invited to join the Wisconsin Hosta Society at a Hosta Jamboree being held at Foxfire Gardens in Marshfield, Wisconsin. You will find a registration form for this event also in this newsletter. Since it is quite a distance from our part of the planet to Marshfield, we are planning to go by car caravan. It is probably worth an overnight stay to make the day more enjoyable. Lou Horton, (630) , has agreed to act as a clearinghouse for information on the Hosta Jamboree. We have several copies of The Hosta Finder 2002 edition, by Steven H. Greene which we are offering at a bargain rate of $10.00, available as long as they last at the various events. This is a listing of where to find just about every Hosta that is available in the marketplace including the current prices charged. Also, we are offering the new publication by the American Hosta Society called The Hosta Adventure - A Grower's Guide for $5.00. The publication covers a lot of material in a compact space. It is a very good introduction to Hosta gardening and covers points that may be helpful to some of you who are more experienced growers also. I will bring these to most events. The Chihuly sculptural blown glass exhibit at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago has been extended to Sept 9, If you have not yet seen this wonderful display, I would strongly urge you to attend. I have sent quite a few people to see the show and all have loved it OFFICERS, DIRECTORS & CHAIRS President, John Van Ostrand, 21 Robin Crest Road, Hawthorn Woods, IL (847) Vice President, Dawn Anderson, 1703 Highview Ave., McHenry, IL (815) Secretary, LaVerne Laycock, 1712 Ontario Ave., Apt.104, Naperville, IL (630) Membership, Pete Postlewaite, Andover Rd, Kildeer, IL (847) Newsletter, Floyd Rogers, 22W213 Glen Valley Drive, Glen Ellyn, IL (630) Treasurer, Bob Carlson, 22W070 Stratford Ct., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) Publicity, Stan Pochron, 118 Barrington Commons, Barrington, IL (847) Walk-About Chair, Flo Burnidge, 35W966 Highland Ave., Elgin, IL (847) Director-at-Large, Lou Horton, 1N375 Ingleton, West Chicago, IL (630) Director-at-Large, Tom Micheletti, Hearthside Drive, Deer Park, IL (847) John L. Van Ostrand

2 NIHS, May 2002 May 25&26 June 9 June 23 June July 12&13 July 28 August 4 August 17 September 8 September 15 October 13 January 18, ACTIVITIES Leaf Exhibit & Plant Sale Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL Hostatality Walk-About Garden Visit Hostatality Walk-About Garden Visit American Hosta Society Convention Spokane, WA Midwest Regional Convention Madison, WI Bus Tour Indianapolis Hostatality Walk-About Garden Visit Hosta Jamboree Marshfield, WI Plant Auction Palos Heights, IL Hostatality Walk-About Garden Visit Pot Luck & Plant Swap, Annual Meeting Winter Scientific Meeting Schaumburg, IL Jolyn Miller, St. Charles Len & Tania Madura, Oak Forest Jo Drinnan, Lemont NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!!! Spring 2002 Potluck and White Elephant Swap Dawn Anderson On Sunday, March 17 th, we had our second annual Spring Potluck and White Elephant Swap at the home of Tom and Becki Micheletti in Deer Park, IL. The atmosphere outside was chilly, windy and rather cloudy but inside it was warm and friendly. In attendance were about 30 hostaholics, both new and old members of NIHS. As always, the food was excellent! We enjoyed various salads, casseroles, glazed ham and loads of dessert. I am always amazed at the wonderful variety of food that is provided by our members. The potluck always seems to have just the right amount of every type of dish without any planning ahead. Once the feast is over, we began the White Elephant Swap. Laid out in the middle of the Micheletti living room was the most beautifully wrapped packages. It looked like someone was having a birthday party. Those people who participated in the swap, chose a gift then we went around the room and you had the chance to steal a gift from anyone or keep your own. The one item that seemed to have gotten stolen the most was an antique potato planter (at least that s what we think it is). That item was stolen about 5 times. It ended up going home with the Bruckner s this year. We saw a couple of items from last year appearing in this year s swap. Not only was the potato planter from last year but the Van Ostrand s took home a sheep shearer that was from last year. I wonder if we will see it in 2003? As announced at the potluck, I am putting together a cookbook with the recipes from the spring and fall potluck. If you would like to submit a recipe, please send it to my address (located on front of the newsletter) with your name and the event/year. (example: Spring 2002) Page 2

3 May 2002 Issue 37 Cut Leaf Exhibit and Plant Sale Dawn Anderson It s that time of the year again The Cut Leaf Exhibit and Plant Sale at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. This year it is on Saturday, May 25 th and Sunday, May 26 th, from 10 am to 4 pm in the multi-purpose room. This event has become very popular among garden enthusiasts and our members. It provides NIHS with the opportunity to educate the public about the diversity and landscape uses of Hosta. If you have not attended this event, I would highly recommend you stop by. When John and I began working on this event in 2000, we had no idea what to expect as far as leaf entries, public interest or how to run the event. With the help of Tom Micheletti and Laurie Skrzenta, we had a rather successful first event, where just over 100 varieties were on display. Last year was an even more successful event with over 200 varieties on display! While the room looks so impressive with hundreds of vases with countless varieties of Hosta on display, the increasing quantity of leaves and limited space has created the need for us to limit the number of leaves that can be displayed for each variety. Thus, the board has decided some guidelines should be put into place to help improve the show. Cut Leaf Exhibit Criteria: Leaves must be from a plant that is 3 years or older. Leaves from an immature plant do not properly show the mature characteristics. Hosta leaf must be clearly named/identified. Assistance with identification will be available at the show, but if a leaf cannot be identified it will not be exhibited. In order to have leaves that are as fresh as possible for this 2 day event, they should be submerged in water for at least 8 hours prior to the show. Leaves must arrive at Chicago Botanic Garden multi-purpose room between 3 pm and 6 pm Friday evening or 7 am to 8 am Saturday morning. This will allow for proper set-up of the leaves. Up to 2 (two) leaves of any given variety will be displayed. In the case that more than 2 leaves are provided of a variety, the leaf that best represent the registration will be exhibited. We need your Hosta leaves. Please do not let the above criteria deter you from providing leaves for the display. They are only meant to enhance the show. This is an educational display for the public and we want to show them the best leaves possible. I want to thank all the people who have provided leaves in the past and hope to see more this year! Additionally, if you are able to donate some time for this event, please contact me at We need people the following dates/times: Friday, May 24 th 3pm 7pm Saturday, May 25 th 7 am 5 pm Sunday, May 26 th 9 am 5 pm WOODSTOCK GARDEN WALK Six Unique Gardens/Rain or Shine Thursday, June 20 th 1:00 to 8:00pm. Garden Walk Tickets $15.00/13.00 In advance at Woodstock Banks or By mail before May 31 st to WPBW, P.O. Box 344, Woodstock, IL TICKETS and Maps at the Woodstock Opera House on June 20 th, 12:00 to 5:00pm. For more information call Page 3

4 NIHS, May 2002 Page 4 HOSTA JAMBOREE The third annual Hosta Jamboree will be held at the fabulous Foxfire Gardens in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on August 17th. If you are not familiar with Foxfire Gardens, check out their web site at It is an amazing place. Admission is completely free to all NIHS members who pre-register. Festivities include a pig roast, an ice cream social, door prizes, raffles, a Hosta auction, and a Hosta swap. More information and registration instructions are located on the foxfiregardens web site. Make your plans now. Contact Lou Horton, (630) , for more information, and/or You must pre-register. BUS TOUR 2002 This year s bus trip on July 28 th will take us to four gardens in the Indianapolis area. They are classic gardens with lots to see. Gil and Emily Daniels have a several acre garden with a large pond. The Daniels essentially have their own botanic garden. It s large enough to require professional help with maintenance. The house is located on the banks of the White River. There is enough variety in this garden that there should be a lot to see. Marge and Clarence Soules Garden includes four and one half acres. They specialize in Hostas and daylilies with around thirty beds of Hostas including a large display garden. They are a garden center and have a substantial mail order business. They have a fairly large number of both Hosta and daylily registrations to their credit. Ron and Linda Williams have been taking groups on garden-focused tours of various European countries for the last 5 years. They have also traveled widely in Europe and in other parts of the world and you can see the influences in the various gardens on their 3 acre property. Lots of Hostas, but also lots of interesting design and structure. Ron is former president of I and 1997 AHS Convention co-chair. He is also an orchid enthusiast. Roger and Lynda Miller, Miller s Manor Gardens have a ten acre plot carved from a sun-swept former cornfield. They specialize in unusual perennials and dwarf shrubs and conifers, and small trees. (Probably most of which would fit in the luggage compartments under the bus.) Linda hybridizes and is an expert in irises. They have some sunny display gardens. They do a big mail order business in iris and daylilies. They have several shade houses full of Hostas in pots. Linda is especially fond of new and unusual heucheras and always has a nice selection for sale. Last year the bus tour filled up in advance and I had to turn some folks away. Since the tour has become quite popular, consider registering early to avoid being disappointed. This year I will be confirming receipt of your registration with a return post card. John L. Van Ostrand

5 May 2002 Issue 37 BUS TOUR 2002 PRIVATE GARDENS of INDIANAPOLIS, IN July 28, :00 AM to 8:00 or 9:00 PM Gather at 6:45 AM for our prompt departure at 7:00 AM at OAKBROOK SHOPPING CENTER Just east of Route 83 and north of Cermak Road and north of the East-West Tollway Route 88. FURTHER DIRECTIONS: SEE Map at right: ABSOLUTELY NO PRIVATE CARS WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE TOUR PAST THE DEPARTURE POINT. We will travel by Bluebird Charter Coach bus with on board toilet facilities to see four private gardens within the Indianapolis, Indiana area. Two of these, Soules Garden and Miller s Manor, offer Hosta for sale as well as other plant types. These gardens are usually closed on Sundays, so we will have an opportunity to view the gardens privately. We have also arranged to see the private gardens of Gil & Emily Daniels and Ron & Linda Williams. See elsewhere in this newsletter for more details. Meet here at 6:45 am. Oakbrook Shopping Center, South East Corner Parking Area: 5 H Spring Purple Diagonally across from Nieman-Markus, corner of Spring Road & 22 nd Street Please bring your own lunch (but no alcohol), camera, comfortable shoes, and an umbrella if it looks like rain, since we will go regardless of the weather. There will be activities and refreshments provided by the NIHS (including beverages) on the bus which helps shorten the trip. We are limited to about 52 people and did sell out all seats in advance for last years tour; so sign up early to be assured of a place on the bus. Please arrive promptly at the departure point as we leave at 7:00 AM sharp. COSTS: (By Prepaid Reservation Only - The Cost is Non Refundable) $35.00 NIHS Member or Member s Spouce $45.00 Guests (Non Members of NIHS) $45.00 All Late Entries (Postmarked after June 13, 2002) QUESTIONS? Call: John Van Ostrand at or Dawn Anderson at Cut off the bottom part and send it in with your check Make your check Payable to: NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSTA SOCIETY, INC. Send it to: John L. Van Ostrand 21 Robin Crest Road Hawthorn Woods, IL YOUR NAME: Members: Guests: All Late Entries Non Refundable Total $35 X (No.) = $ $45 X (No.) = $ $45 X (No.) = $ $ YOUR TELEPHONE: GUEST(S) NAME(S): Page 5

6 NIHS, May 2002 benefit plant sale 1928 Kaneville Road Geneva, IL from Randall Road, turn East onto Kaneville and proceed approx. 5 blocks to home, south side of street. fantastic, high quality perennials,groundcovers and large selection of hosta, over 40 varieties! many newer, and some harder to find types. all proceeds to benefit the therapy fund for our son, George Keenan. do not miss George s famous cookie stand this year for your snacking pleasure while browsing the wonderful plants! we will also be holding a raffle for another fabulous LIVING WREATH from Teddy Colbert! please come, and bring a friend... FRIDAY, MAY 10 AND SATURDAY, MAY 11, FROM 10am - 2pm Page 6

7 Advertising Rates for NIHS Hosta Happenings 400 Per issue Per year Full page ½page ¼ page /6 page Send camera-ready copy with your check, made payable to NIHS, to Floyd Rogers, 22W213 Glen Valley Drive, Glen Ellyn, IL Editor's Note: - Thanks to all for the articles for our newsletter. I eagerly accept input for newsletters and encourage all to contribute. The cutoff date for the next issue of Hosta Happenings is June 1, Please contact me by any of the following methods: rogers4@ix.netcom.com fax (630) phone (630) or (630) mail 22W213 Glen Valley Dr., Glen Ellyn, IL ACTIVITY NOTICES Would you like a reminder of NIHS activities sent to you a week ahead of time? Pete Postlewaite maintains a list of members addresses and sends out these extremely helpful reminders. This list will not be published, and will be used only for notices of NIHS activities. Any member wishing to have their address included on the list should send an to Pete Postlewaite (ppostlewaite@shadypath.com). Please put NIHS on the subject line. The Butterfield Flower Co GARDEN CENTER W036 Butterfield Road Warrenville, IL Page 7

8 AMERICAN HOSTA SOCIETY If you are not a member of the American Hosta Society, have always wanted to get your copy of the Hosta Journal (published three times each year with many color pictures of Hostas), and you are interested in joining, please write Lu Treadway, 246 Etheridge Rd., Auburn, GA Dues are: Individual, $25 for one year, $47 for two years, $65 for three years, Life $500 single payment; Family, $29 per year; $52 for two years, $75 for three years. Joining AHS will enable you to attend the national conventions in Spokane, WA, June 2002, Falls Church, VA in 2003, and Des Moines, IA in MIDWEST REGIONAL HOSTA SOCIETY The Midwest Regional Hosta Society publishes a twice-a-year newsletter and holds an annual convention. To join, send a check for $10 to Carolyn Hamilton, 909 Mississippi, Bettendorf, IA The 2002 convention will be held July 12-13, 2002, in Madison, WI, St. Louis, MO in 2003, Dubuque, IA in 2004, and Springfield, MO in NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSTA SOCIETY If you are interested in joining NIHS, please write Treasurer, Bob Carlson, 22W070 Stratford Ct., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) Membership dues are $20 for two years. Please send membership renewals to Bob Carlson at the above address. Northern Illinois Hosta Happenings May 2002 Newsletter Floyd Rogers, Newsletter Editor 22W213 Glen Valley Drive Glen Ellyn, IL FIRST CLASS STAMP REQUIRED ---First Class Mail---