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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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/
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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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New Newsletter--March 2025
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Today's featured hosta:
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Midnight Oil by B. & D. Stegeman (r2004)
"Burning the midnight oil" refers to pre-electric light times when working late into the night required using an oil lamp. It has come to mean putting in long hours on a pressing task. With several big garden tours coming up, we are doing just that in our home garden, getting ready for visitors. Of course, we would never actually burn H. "Midnight Oil", which is a striking plant in the garden.
H. 'Midnight Oil' has very shiny, dark green leaves that are cupped and corrugated. The upright leaves create a vase-like structure. It is a cross of "Potomac Pride' and "Neat Splash Rim'. Pale purple flowers appear in early summer. H 15" W 26"
See
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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:
News
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.
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.
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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!
