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:
June 10-13, 2026 AHS national convention, "Buckeye Hosta Fever", Dublin, OH
July 9-11, 2026 MRHS 50th Anniversary Celebration Convention, Madison, WI
August 16, 2026 Iowa State Fair hosta show
Assistance/suggestions needed: see this message about Iowa hostas from the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens.
Newsletter--April 2026
June 7, 2026 featured plant:
Garden Treasure by Don Hollingsworth (r1984)
You are correct, that's not a hosta! Here's something a little different this week, in memory of someone many hosta gardeners may have known.
P. 'Garden Treasure' is a gorgeous intersectional peony, one of my favorites. We owe it (and many others) to Don Hollingsworth (April 28, 1928--June 3, 2026) of Maryville, MO, who was one of the great plantsmen of the last 100 years. He registered 97 peony cultivars over his hybridizing career, sold peonies through his Hollingsworth Peonies business for many decades, and generously shared his knowledge through countless conversations, presentations, and publications. If your garden has some peonies complementing your hostas, you likely have at least one of his introductions!
News
June 7, 2026
Members of ROHS and the Ackworth Garden Club had a joint garden tour, lunch, and plant auction in West Des Moines, Indianola, and Lake Ahquabi State Park.
Intermittent showers did not really affect the tour and added a nice fresh touch to the plants.
Everyone enjoyed lunch in a classic stone shelter built by the CCC around 1935 (now on the national historic register). -->
After lunch, over 40 plants were auctioned.
News
April 12, 2026
The ROHS spring meeting was held at Warren Lodge #53 in Indianola. After a potluck lunch, with guests from the Ackworth Garden Club, there was a short business meeting. The joint summer tour and plant auction with the Ackworth Garden Club, new hostas from local sources, and the Iowa State Fair hosta show were then discussed.
News
Midwest Regional Hosta Society Winter Symposium -- February 21
February 21, 2026
The MRHS Winter Symposium, marking the 50th anniversary of MRHS, was held in Brookfield, WI at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel. Several members of ROHS enjoyed six presentations, a silent auction, and visiting with fellow hosta gardeners.
The silent auction featured many outstanding hostas!
Glenn Herold described types of ferns and provided advice on ferns suitable (or not!) for hosta gardens:
Rob Mortko discussed climate change and construction of drip irrigation systems:
Bob Solberg gave an update on nomenclature and areas of scientific research related to hostas:
Don Dean talked about techniques, goals, and results in hybridizing:
Dave Collura showed how to construct rock gardens and plants to put in them:
Mark Zilis continued his series on history of hostas, AHS, and notable people of the hosta world:
News
October 12, 2025
ROHS fall meeting at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens
After the customary potluck lunch, Danny Lawson (editor of the AHS journal) gave a photo tour of the various AHS national display gardens that he has visited recently.
Attendees viewed the recently installed plaque designating the AHS National Display Garden at IAG.
News
August 10-17, 2025
Iowa State Fair
Several members of ROHS entered leaves in the fair's hosta leaf show. Many of their entries garnered ribbons!
News
June 19-21, 2025 Several members of ROHS attended the AHS national convention in East Peoria, IL. Educational sessions, hosta sales, a leaf show, and garden tours created a busy convention!
Greetings from Hornbaker Gardens, the first garden visit of the 2025 AHS convention!
Several wonderful gardens were toured, and we got to meet Bigfoot himself!
Preparing entries and checking results for the hosta leaf show:
Enjoying lunch out after a warm morning touring gardens:
