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/
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Today's featured hosta:
World Cup by Beilstein/Zilis (r2006 by M. Zilis)
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​Minnesota's own Jessie Diggins is the defending World Cup cross country ski champion and is off to a strong start for the 2024-25 season after races in Finland and Norway.
You may not be as fast as Jessie on skis, but you can have a world-class hosta in your own garden by planting this hosta. H. 'World Cup' has erect leaves that are golden yellow with slightly rippled margins and are deeply cupped and corrugated. It has very pale purple flowers in midsummer. It arose from a cross of H. 'Komodo Dragon' and H. 'Superbowl'. AHGA Hosta of the Year in 2018. ​H 19" W 39"​ See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=5660
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See https://jessiediggins.com/ for information on the USA's best cross-country skier.
Jessie wins the 20K in Ruka, Finland:
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.
