Russ O'Harra Hosta Society
The Russ O’Harra Hosta Society is an educational society, based in central Iowa, open to all those interested in the genus Hosta. Its purpose is to promote the growing and enjoyment of hostas, including their use in landscape design and the cultivation and development of new cultivars. The goals of the Society are in keeping with those of the American Hosta Society. Our society is named for Russ O'Harra, who was one of the most prominent hosta enthusiasts and hybridizers in the Midwest.
FYI: the entry deadline for the Iowa State Fair Hosta Leaf Show was July 1 (late registration deadline was July 8, for more $). Even if you didn't enter, please support the show by attending on July 10!​​
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Upcoming events:
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August 10, 2025 Iowa State Fair Hosta Leaf Show (new this year--information on entering is here)
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October 12, 2025 ROHS fall meeting
Assistance/suggestions needed: see this message about Iowa hostas from the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens.
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​Newsletter--March 2025
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Today's featured hosta:
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Sea Bunny by M. Seaver (r1986)
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We were fortunate to watch sea otters playing at sunset in the Saanich Inlet on Vancouver Island, B.C., late Sunday evening, all while marveling how plants in the gardens of the Pacific Northwest mostly seem 50% bigger than ours. Even so, it's comforting to be back in our garden 20 hours later, knowing that Iowans can also grow plants pretty well! H. 'Sea Bunny' in our garden will continue to remind us of sea otters hopping around, and while other gardeners may not have the same image in mind, it is a stunning plant that will definitely draw attention for any garden.
H. 'Sea Bunny' is a medium-sized hosta with chartreuse-yellow, rounded, rugose leaves that are very glossy and have excellent substance. Near-white flowers are produced later in summer. Parentage is unknown. H 12" W 30"
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/search_item/4988
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June 19: Greetings from Hornbaker Gardens, the first garden visit of the 2025 AHS convention!
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May 9-10, 2025
Members gave out information on ROHS at the Des Moines Botanical Gardens Spring Garden Market.
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The ROHS information booth:
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April 13, 2024
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The ROHS spring meeting was held at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens. After a potluck lunch, David McKinney of IAG talked about the IAG's hosta collections and trial program. A business meeting followed.
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Midwest Regional Hosta Society Winter Symposium -- February 22
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The MRHS meeting featured six excellent, very informative presentations, along with a silent auction and conversation with old and new friends.
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Glenn Herold showed the differences in hosta flowers of various cultivars throughout the season, and Rob Mortko explained the intricacies of hosta tissue culture. Bob Solberg showed variegation trends in hostas produced over the last several decades. Don Rawson tantalized everyone with what's new in the world of hostas. Noah Schwartz described issues in large wholesale grower hosta production, an area unknown to most gardeners, and Mark Zilis provided an informative summary of historical figures in the hosta community.
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The MRHS winter symposium has a lot packed into one day--plan to attend next year!
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News October 13
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The ROHS fall meeting was held at the Wallace Learning Center near Orient, IA.
After the usual scrumptuous potluck lunch, Rob Mortko gave a very informative talk on the process of hosta tissue culture and showed some dazzling new hostas that will be available in the near future.
A short business meeting followed.
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August 3
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AHS has approved the establishment of a national display garden at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens. A bronze plaque will be placed on the grounds.
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July 27
In the Country Garden and Gifts-- "Hosta & Dessert Social", Independence, IA
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Bob Solberg (orange shirt in the photo) gave a wonderful talk on how/why hostas are fun. Barry Ankney of AHS distributed information and recruited new members for AHS. Some ROHS members enjoyed shopping for more hostas!
