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.
Upcoming events:
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February 21-22, 2025 Midwest Regional Hosta Society Winter Symposium
Milwaukee/Brookfield, WI see http://www.midwesthostasociety.org/
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April 13, 2025 ROHS spring meeting, Iowa Arboretum and Gardens, Madrid, IA
potluck, speaker, work day
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June 19-21, 2025 American Hosta Society / Midwest Regional Hosta Society joint convention, East Peoria, IL
"Double Feature" You can register now at https://hostaconvention.org/
Assistance/suggestions needed: see this message about Iowa hostas from the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens.
We likely will discuss this more at the ROHS spring meeting.​​
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Today's featured hosta:
Canadian Foreign Affairs by K. Knechtel/P. Ruh (r2002)
What, Canada doesn't want to be annexed into the USA? Canada has traditionally been a strong ally and friend of the USA, but recent actions by the USA have caused some unease in the relationship. H. 'Canadian Foreign Affairs' in your garden may remind you to consider the world from Canada's perspective.
H. 'Canadian Foreign Affairs' is a giant hosta with semi-upright, light green foliage. It has pale lavender flowers in mid-summer. The flower scapes can reach nearly 8 feet, making it possibly the tallest hosta, or at least the hosta with the tallest scapes. H 39" W 80"
See
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.
News
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.
News
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!
News
July 11-13
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ROHS members attended the Midwest Regional Hosta Society convention in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
News
Friday and Saturday, May 10-11
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ROHS booth at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's "Spring Garden Market"
News from the ROHS spring meeting on April 14:
Kris Jurik (left) and Don Draper (right), co-chairs of the 2023 AHS Convention local organizing committee, present ROHS treasurer David Dettmann with a check. Proceeds from the convention are to be donated to the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens to establish and maintain an AHS Display Garden.
