Download GREAT EXPECTATIONS - Central Illinois Hosta Society

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
central illinois hosta society
www.cihshostaclub.org
Debbie’s Dirt
f you recall in last month’s newsletter, I was
applauding the wonderful July temperatures we
were experiencing which lasted well into midAugust. But it never fails, about the time schools start
back up, we have extreme heat and humidity. I melt in
these conditions so nothing gets done in my gardens. I
am, however, extremely thankful for air conditioning.
I
What a wonderful time we had at our Bi-Annual
Auction in August. Donna Cothrell and Shirley Metz,
along with many helpers, did a fantastic job of planning
and executing this event. Shirley even provided some
unplanned entertainment when a frog jumped out of a
plant she was holding. Let’s just say the frog wasn’t the
only one who was jumpy. Thanks to all of you who came
and participated.
We so much appreciated the
abundance of plants and garden art donated by our
Society members and businesses for us to bid on. And
bid, we did. This was another banner year thanks to our
generous buyers. And even though I was out-bidded on
the Fairy Garden house created by Don and Carolyn
Jones, I am happy to know it is going to a lovely garden
and will be well cared for by Michelle.
Don’t forget to sign-up for the Banquet to be held on
September 16 at Coyote Creek. Jeff Miller from Land of
the Giants will be our guest speaker and will bring a
hosta for each attendee.
This will be our last meeting of 2014 and you won’t
want to miss it.
Keep digging in the dirt,
September 2014
volume 20, issue 7
Our Next Meeting
The Banquet
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 16th
Time: Cocktails & check-in
5:30 pm; dinner at 6:30
Place: Coyote Creek Golf
Club, near Bartonville, 8201
West Lancaster Road,
309.633.0911
Cost: $35/person
Our Annual Hosta Banquet will be held at Coyote Creek
Golf Course, same as past two years. We will have hosta
from Q &Z Nursery for everyone attending. The guest
speaker will be Jeff Miller from Land of the Giants hosta
nursery, in Melton Wisconsin. We visited this nursery last
year on the Bus Trip. He will also be bringing plants to
give away!
Sign up at the meetings or contact Shirley Metz
(263.7103; [email protected]) or Donna Cothrell
(694.7648; [email protected]).
Directions
 From I-474, take Route 24 through Bartonville
 Just past Keystone, turn right onto Pfeiffer Road and
proceed up the hill
 Go past the high school and veer left onto West
Lancaster Road, passing Oak Grove West School
 Coyote Creek, 8201 West
Lancaster Road, is on the
right
Debbie McCollum, President
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Another route:
 Go thru Bartonville on route 24 and Turn right onto Lamarsh Creek
Road/Cameron Lane. You will cross Tuscarora Road and continue straight
on Cameron Lane.
 Turn left at stop sign onto Lancaster road.
 Coyote Creek, 8201 West Lancaster Road, is on the right
______________________________
Hosta in the
Spotlight
Hosta ‘Empress Wu’
Honoring the only female empress of
China,
it is a true focal point for your
garden! Growing up to 4' tall and 7'
wide, Empress Wu is one of the
largest hosta available! Huge, dark
green, deeply-veined leaves of good
substance can measure more than 1
1/2' wide and long. Pale lavender to
reddish-violet flowers in midsummer, atop 5’ flower scapes.
_______________________________________________________________
The Hosta Library
If you would like to check out a magazine or book from the Hosta Library, see
Ella Maxwell at a meeting or call her at 309.444.3758.
________________________________________________________________
2014 CIHS Calendar
If you are interested in opening your garden
for a meeting in 2015, please contact Gloria Hicks,
Jeanette Smith or a board member.
September 16
Banquet
Coyote Creek
CIHS Garden Walk
TBA
Cihs Bus Trip
TBA
June 18, 2015
American Hosta Society
Convention
Raleigh North Carolina
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Officers
President
Deb McCollum
309.361.4284
[email protected]
Vice Presidents
Gloria Hicks, Jeanette Smith
309.266.7761, 309.387.6549
[email protected]
[email protected]
Second Vice Presidents
Shirley Metz, Donna Cothrell
309.263.7103, 309.694.7648
[email protected]
[email protected]
Third Vice President
Deb Schoedel
309.256.0479
[email protected]
Recording Secretary
Sue Eckhoff
[email protected]
Corresponding Secretary
Maggie Keesey
309.264.2253
[email protected]
Treasurer
Dan McConnell
309.360.4188
[email protected]
To join:
Central Illinois Hosta Society
$10/year, form on back cover
Midwest Reg. Hosta Society
$20/2 years, Send dues to:
Kristine James, Membership
523 E. Calhoun Street
Woodstock, IL 60098
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
Rewarding Hard
Work
____________________________________________
A
rnold Palmer, the famous golfer, loves to work
in his yard and garden. His father had been the
head greens keeper at a golf course and
growing up Arnold had fond memories of helping his
dad. One day he was in the front yard working in his
gardening clothes and wearing a large, well-used straw
hat. A lady pulled up in a top of the line luxury nonEnglish speaking car. She said to Mr. Palmer, “you do
very nice work, what do you charge?” He replied, “Oh
I don’t get paid. I have an arrangement with the
owners; if I do a good job I get to sleep with the lady of
the house.” With that the inquisitive lady speed away.
I went out early on the morning of the last garden walk
we were on to do some last minute preparation. I put
on a pair of dirty jeans and an old stained t-shirt fully
intending to shower, shave and change clothes prior to
the start of the walk. I never made it. Later that
afternoon I was talking to someone answering their
questions when a lady close by asked incredulously,
“you live here?/!” I replied, “Ya, go figure”
Anyway, enough stories and now to the point of this
article.
We work hard in our gardens. We do it because we
enjoy it. We appreciate the work our fellow CIHS
members do not only in their gardens but also for the
organization and our community.
So what better way to reward ourselves than with food,
a knowledgeable speaker and of course a hosta or
two. The banquet is a wonderful way to say thanks for
another year, break bread with our friends and enjoy
ourselves. We deserve it, we’ve earned it, so call right
now and make your reservation and I will see you there.
Enjoy your garden and the banquet
By Dan McConnell, CIHS Treasurer
Field Guide to
Hostas
Available
The new, garden-friendly
version of Mark Zilis’ hosta
compendium is out. Here
are some of the highlights
of the new guide:
Mark Zilis’ Field Guide to Hostas is a totally
revised and expanded version of the immensely popular
The Hosta Handbook (originally printed in 2001, and
long out of stock).
Inside the Field Guide to Hostas you will find:
– 428 pages, this laminated soft cover ring bound
book measures 7 1/2" by 8 7/8".
– 272 hostas completely described, including the
latest introductions, ones that are commonly seen,
significant species, important breeding plants, and
hostas with extensive sport families.
– 2300 more hostas listed or described in lists of
similar types, hosta sports, sport families and
seedlings.
– 1200 photos including ones of each main listing,
sports, seedlings, hostas in the wild, companion
plants, several problems, and more.
– New views of hosta species with an examination
of natural habitats and other plants associated with
them in the wild and how all this relates to
growing hostas in our gardens.
– An Appendix comprised of charts that rate the
compatibility of trees, shrubs, and vines with
hostas in shade gardens, recommended
companion plants for hostas, starter collections,
and a list of patented hostas.
– A thorough analysis of how to grow hostas,
including a greatly expanded “Hosta Problem
Solving Guide” detailing the characteristics,
symptoms, prevention, control, and general
discussion of each problem.
– Updated discussion of hosta propagation,
including a detailed look at tissue culture,
mutation selection, and polyploid (tetraploid)
formation.
– A list of hosta facts and anomalies.
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I’ve already taken it outside to play “match the tags” as
the tree trimmers moved some tags while doing some
major pruning. This will be a great guide to have at our
plant auctions as hauling around the large tome is backbreaking!
wonderful blanket of leaves was created just for them. Under
this cover they build a network of freeways which takes them
from the banquet table of your hostas to the playground
where they invite their family, friends and neighbors to come
enjoy the buffet. They laughingly announce that there is
plenty for all.
By Rebecca Boylan and reprinted from the Delaware
Valley Hosta Society, late spring 2014 issue
Cleaning the garden of weeds, old foliage and leaves in the
fall reduces the chance of spreading disease. It also lowers
the risk of vole destruction. It eliminates many of the hiding
places for voles and slugs. A clean surface allows for the
early spring treatment for slugs and provides easier access
for fertilizer. Keeping the slug population low during fall
and winter eases your battle for control during the growing
season. Removing diseased materials lowers your risk of
incurring trouble next year. For example consider the
possibility of leaving plants and mulch contaminated with
the fungus that causes southern blight. How much more
likely you are to be plagued with it the following season.
Notice!
_______________________________________________
T
here have been a number of requests for CIHS to
develop a membership directory, like many other
garden clubs. The board, concerned about sharing
such information, has chosen to create a directory with
names and phone numbers only. It will be distributed
amongst the membership and not shared with any other
group. If you wish to opt-out of the directory, please
notify Kathy Allen, the Membership Chair. 309.645.7908
or [email protected]
Balance the
Scales
_______________________________________________
Mike Pula
(This article has appeared in several other local hosta
society newsletters. The editors thought that our readers
would find it informative at this time of year.)
F
all clean up time is just around the corner. Lately I
have read articles dealing with how we should leave
our hosta gardens for the winter. As in life there is no
perfect way that can meet the needs of all. Some articles
have been emphatic in the fact that leaving leaves on the
garden is the thing to do. I agree with the idea that leaves
offer protection for the plants during the winter months and
that they also provide nutrients for the soil. They help keep
the ground cool in the spring so that hostas are not as likely
to emerge too early. This is good and I concur with those
things. Other articles have dismissed this fact saying that it
is better to remove all of the weeds and old foliage from the
garden in the fall. At this time I wish to say, leaves may hold
excessive moisture as well as fungi, both of which can be
harmful to your hostas. The leaf cover provides space for a
well-run hatchery for the proliferation of slugs. Leaving old
plant foliage contributes to the spread of fungi and disease
that may be present.
My proclamation is that what works for one is not necessarily
for the good of all. If you live in a vole infested area letting
the leaves remain on the garden will just about guarantee
your loss of hostas over the winter. Voles prefer to move and
work in a protected environment. They believe that this
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Once the garden is clean and ready for winter, a thin layer of
clean new pine needles can be spread to offer some winter
protection and diminish the washing of your soil. A thin
cover of pine needles allows air to circulate over the ground.
Though they offer some shade protection for your plants they
are open enough to discourage the construction of vole
freeways.
Now that we have weighed the pros and cons you must
balance the scales to meet the situation in your garden. Will
the value of leaves in your garden outweigh the
disadvantages that they may offer?
By Mary Chastain, Lakeside Acres
___________________________________________
The Hosta Gardening
Calendar
Late Summer (Growth of buds for next year) lateAugust-September
W
ith the full extension of the flowering
inflorescence, the growing tip, (meristem), of the
hosta shoot is carried high into the air, at the end
of the scape. New “dormant” buds now begin to form at the
base of the scape that will go through cold dormancy and
produce the new shoots and leaves of the plant in the next
spring. Ideally, three buds are formed, but frequently less are
formed by large hosta cultivars. In some early flowering
hostas, these buds may produce a second growth of new
shoots, leaves, flower scapes and more dormant buds the
same summer, especially if they are grown in areas where the
growing season is long, as in the Southeastern United States.
Labeling: Place plant labels, temporary or permanent, with
each new hosta. Bury a plastic label with the plant name in
pencil in the same position for each hosta. Map garden if you
are so inclined. Continued on page 5
White Oak Nursery
Specializing in Hostas, Daylilies, Bearded Iris and
Siberian Iris
Please visit our website for an online catalog of
offerings.
We have 300 varieties of Hostas for 2015.
CIHS Members are welcome to come view our
offerings. Please call for an appointment and directions.
White Oak Nursery
Washburn, IL
(309) 369-2065
[email protected]
www.whiteoaknursery.com
Light: Days begin to shorten, hostas begin to look tired.
Nutrients: Fertilize newly planted hostas with 10-10-10 or a
little slow release fertilizer. If some hostas make a few new
leaves then liquid feed once in August.
Pests: Check for voles moving into the garden. Check for
foliar nematodes, again. Check the oldest leaves. If the deer
still want your hostas, then at some point, open the gate and
let them clean up the garden for you.
Protection: Mulch newly worked areas.
Propagation: Continue to divide hostas. Try to get them
finished six weeks before the first frost. You can do it later
but remember hostas do not grow roots over the winter.
Water: Turn off the irrigation and put the hoses away. Lack
of water will encourage dormancy. Of course, continue to
water your new plantings. I use a watering can.
Fun! Look for fall specials from your favorite hosta
nurseries. Hostas planted in the fall will look a year older
than the ones you buy next spring. Continue to plant new
acquisitions.
Start collecting seeds from early flowering hostas.
By Bob Solberg
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Central Illinois Hosta Society
P.O. Box 3098
Peoria, IL 61612-3098
First Class Postage
Check us out!
www.cihshostaclub.org
For information regarding dues or
membership, contact Kathy Allen at
309.645.7908 or [email protected]
Newsletter Deadline: 20th of
the preceding month
Submit items for publication
to: Bob Streitmatter
309.264.4813
[email protected]
CIHS Membership Form (please print)
Name(s)___________________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________ City__________________
State___ Zip_________ Phone___________ E-mail________________________
How did you find us?
Friend/Word of Mouth Website Newsletter Event/Presentation
Facebook Newspaper (which one)__________________________________
Other________________________
Dues are $10/year: New Renewal Amount enclosed__________________
Make check payable to CIHS and mail check/form to: Central Illinois Hosta
Society, P.O. Box 3098, Peoria, IL 61612-3098
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