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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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October 13, 2024   ROHS Fall meeting at The Wallace Learning Center, 2773  290th St., Orient, Iowa, 50858.

                               12 p.m. potluck; speaker; business meeting

                                Speaker:  Rob Mortko, "The Hostas of Tomorrow and Where They Come From" (see Calendar)

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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/

Today's featured hosta:

 

"Autumn Frost"  by Walters Gardens, Inc. (r2009)

 

We have warm days this week, even after the autumnal equinox, but lower temperatures and frost are likely on the way soon.  Be sure to take a look at Autumn Frost in your garden before it gets actually frosted.  This showy sport of "First Frost" emerges with blue-green leaves with wide, creamy yellow margins that, over the summer, turn greener with creamy white margins.​  Pale lavender flowers appear in summer.

 H 12"  W 28"​

See

https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=317

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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!

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News   

July 11-13

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ROHS members attended the Midwest Regional Hosta Society convention in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

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News   

Friday and Saturday, May 10-11

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ROHS booth at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's "Spring Garden Market"

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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.

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