The Eastern Michigan Hosta Society meets in the Lapeer area. Schedule to be announced.

The Metro Detroit Hosta Society meetings are usually held the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00PM.  Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 W. Maple Rd. (15 Mile), Birmingham.
Feb. 25 - Bill Struhar will be the guest speaker and will discuss “Moss and its Care”.

March 24 - Jim MacKinder will speak on “Waking Up the Spring Garden”. Jim will emphasize how to care for the garden organically.
April 21 - “Caring for Hostas” will be the topic of a round table discussion by members of the society.
May 17 - Plant sale, east parking lot of the First United Methodist Church, 10:00 am to 2:00 PM



Saginaw Valley Hosta Society meetings are held at the Rustic Inn, St. Charles at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted.
Feb. 13 - 7 P M at the Rustic Inn with guest speaker Bill Wegner - The Compost Comic.
March 14&15 - Hosta Collage in Piqua, Ohio
April meeting - Date TBA - with Tony Reznicek from U of M will speak on grasses and sedges for shade gardens.

The Southwestern Michigan Hosta Society meets in the Kalamazoo area. March 14&15 - Hosta Collage in Piqua, Ohio
March 30 - “Gardens of the 2007 AHS National Convention in Indianapolis” – Lois and Gary Neidert
April 27 - “Use of ‘Cides’ in the Hosta Garden” – Jeni Payton
June 21 - Bus Trip to the MHS Garden Walk, Toledo area.

The West Michigan Hosta Society meets in the Grand Rapids area.
February 21 Spring membership meeting; speaker is Rod Grassman on new intro’s of shade plants. Meeting will be at Plainfield Senior Center
March 14&15 - Hosta Collage in Piqua, Ohio
April 26 - Hosta Workshop 9 am - noon.
Speakers will be:
Frank Schermers on building a path
Don Apol on water gardening and aquatic plants
Jim Nienhuis: Hostas in the garden
Location is at Heather Hills in N.E. Grand Rapids.
May 15 - Annual potluck and auction at the Allendale City Hall
July 12 - WMHS Garden Walk. Gardens to be announced
July 26 - Motor trip by van to Van Wades
August 14 - Fall meeting, Cheryl Tolley will speak on Native plants in the landscape at the Ottawa- Kent Perennial Nursery.

Editor’s Note: I have been asked a number of times about the relationship of the local hosta societies and the Michigan Hosta Society. A little history is perhaps the easiest way to answer most of those questions. In the mid-90’s MHS held a meeting to discuss the feasibility of sponsoring or helping in the establishment of some local societies around the state. There was a growing need for a way to get more information about hostas out to the increasing number of gardeners who were growing hostas. MHS had tried winter meetings but because of the long distances involved the meetings had to be on weekends; that and the winter weather often made them poorly attended. The establishment of some local chapters seemed to be the best way to meet the needs of our members.
As the result of the initial meeting, members of six areas in the state said they were going to look into starting a local group. Some of those groups were immediately formed; others have happened in the intervening years. All of the groups are financially independent and operated under their own bylaws. Membership in MHS as well as the local group is encouraged but not mandatory.

For information on the local societies or the Michigan Hosta Society contact: MHS@hostahappenings.com