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DELAWARE VALLEY
HOSTA SOCIETY
Our next activity will be a bus trip on May 4, 2024
More activities posted on our calendar!
Celebrating hostas since 1982!
The DVHS hosts a hosta show approximately every two years, depending on what other activities we have going on. Our greatest show to date was in 2006, when we hosted the national convention of the American Hosta Society. Over 500 leaves, planters, and artistic display entries were received and judged.
Our 2016 hosta show, held June 11-12 at the Barnes Foundation Arboretum, featured the leaves and pots of a dozen hosta gardeners. Best in Show (Horticulture Division) was awarded to David Teager for a petite but perfect leaf of H. gracillima, Marilyn Romenesko had the best container plant ('Tears of Joy'), and Conny Parsons took this year's sweepstakes award for the most blue ribbons. After the show judging, several particants took part in a floral design class led by Tammy Feuer, featuring use of hosta leaves.
In 2018, when we once again hosted the AHS national convention, included over 300 leaves from 39 entrants.
Our 2020 hosta show has been postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic. There's no way to social distance when judging a hosta leaf!
Hosta shows: Our friendly competitions
What is a hosta show?
Every year hosta growers across America search for the best leaves from their best plants, search for their best plants in containers, and/or search their creative minds for the most interesting way to arrange their hosta leaves in an artistic presentation. They then drive (or even fly!) for miles to enter their leaves, plants, and arrangements in hosta show competitions. Leaves are placed into Sections and Classes based on the size and color of the leaf, and judging is based on standards the same way a dog or cat show would be judged. Check out issue 25.2 of our Newsletter for guidance on entering our next show (at the AHS Convention in 2018).
Shows are set up by local hosta societies but accredited by the American Hosta Society, which also trains and accredits the show judges. We have a number of judges in our own membership, but are always seeking more people to get involved.