Illinois Prairie Hosta Society

10/21/2026

10/07/2026

Hello Hosta Lovers,
It’s the Second Saturday again already. Time flies so quickly. Do you realize we installed the first part of the current garden in May of 2011? Those original plants are now 15 years old. To me, that’s unbelievable. Of course, the current garden is almost twice as large as the first East and West beds. I’m just thinking back over the years and I’m sure we have had 50 to 75 members of the club who have volunteered at lease once, and I really cannot begin to think of the hours of work those 15 years represent. What a fantastic club we have and how generous you are with your time and energy. Thank you so much!

Saturday will be the usual cleanup. Brings trowels and a spade or two and we will bring the bags. Leaves aren’t falling yet, so you can probably leave rakes at home. If I see an opportunity to work with that triangular bed at the beginning of the Kari Walkway, I will maybe do some transplanting, but, given the lateness of the season and the fact that the rain has probably turned off, I will most probably wait until spring to transplant perennials. Be sure to tell me what you think about the best look for that area. I definitely would like to put it one more rock.

We will have to do a final cleanup - probably the first or second week in November. If you have any ideas about that, please let me know. Mike and I will be leaving for South Dakota October 25 or 26. I will definitely set it up before I leave. There will be a lot more garden debris for that one, and lots of raking.

Thank you again for all your work - it definitely shows! Hoping to see you on Saturday around 8:30 or so.

Susan

09/08/2026

Hello Oh-So-Helpful Hosta Lovers,
Just a little reminder of our second Saturday workday this Saturday, Sept. 12. We will start whenever you can come after 8, and probably won’t take too long. We need to dead head spent bloom stalks, dig a few weeds, and pick up sticks like last time. It shouldn’t take too long.

We are offering another walk-through tour at 10. In case you didn’t come to clean-up last time and want to visit a bit before 10, I will be repeating my “talk” on the history of the garden and Fritz will conduct a walk-through after that. It’s a good time to get any questions you may have about what we do to have an American Hosta Society National Display Garden.

I want to thin out some plants that taken off on their own a little too much for my taste. If you would like to transplant some of those to your garden, please bring tools for digging and something to carry your plants in. We are talking hardy begonias and hellebores mostly, with a few other random plants.

Looks like it’s still going to be warm Saturday, so an early start should be beneficial. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Susan

08/31/2026

IPHS Members and Friends! It is time to Make Your Reservation for our Annual Meeting and Brunch Program that is coming up on Saturday - September 26, 2026 . Reservations and Payment must be in by Sept 10, 2026. If you haven't made your reservations yet, check your email today to print the form with the details. :)

“Breakfast on the Farm”
22nd Annual Meeting - Brunch and Program
held at "Prairie Fruit Farms & Creamery"
4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL 61822
Saturday, September 26, 2026 9 am – 11:30 am

Gather at 9:00 a.m. in the Orchard Room of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, for breakfast and an annual meeting immediately following.

Program from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Our Program: Don Rawson will present, "Rocks, Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks!"
About our speaker: Don Rawson is a well-known hosta gardener, hybridizer, and list creator based in Comstock Park, Michigan. He is attributed to creating the Hosta Lists, a massive database of over 29,000 entries that group hostas by different traits.

Menu: Martinelli’s Deli will be preparing a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, French toast bake, assorted Danish pastries, and a medley of savory croissant flavors. Orange juice and coffee are also available.

2027 Dues Can Be Paid at the same time at $15.00 per year for a family membership.

RESERVATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN Thursday, September 10, 2026, $30.00 ea. You must have a reservation to be able to attend the program.
If you did not receive the form please let us know here and we will make sure that you get one!

08/17/2026

08/09/2026

The Illinois Arboretum offers a serene, picturesque setting for your special day.

With over 150 acres featuring flowering gardens, mature shade trees, and peaceful ponds in close proximity to downtown Champaign and Urbana, our convenient location truly provides the best of both nature and urban amenities.

Learn more: https://arboretum.illinois.edu/weddings-2

Photo Credit: Rebekah Albaugh

08/09/2026

Thank you so much for these amazing Illinois Prairie Hosta Society members who gave up their Saturday morning to work in the U of I Arboretum Hosta Garden. So many enjoy the fruits of your labor and we appreciate YOU!!

There is nothing like working with a good group of people and you couldn’t ask for any better folks than the Illinois Prairie Hosta Society.

08/09/2026

Learn how to identify native forest trees of Illinois at Tree ID Hikes:

-Tuesday, August 25, 9-11 a.m.
-Tuesday, September 22 from 12-2 p.m.
-Saturday, October 10 from 9-11 a.m.

Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will share identification characteristics including leaf types and arrangements, bark patterns, fruit, and growth form.

Students will learn about the ecological importance of native tree species and explore their historical and modern uses, including lumber and other wood products, as well as culinary uses of tree fruits, nuts, sap, and other edible resources.

Learn more and register: https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/arboretum-tree-id-hike/