2011 Midwest Hosta Convention

Just a reminder that the 2011 Midwest Hosta Convention is just around the corner.  The Wisconsin Hosta Society will be the host club this year, and the convention will take place in Madison, WI on July 7, 8, and 9th.

If you love hostas, this is a great opportunity to meet others who have the same passion.  I love conventions because I can tour other hosta gardens and get ideas.  It also gives me a chance to see mature hostas, and see hostas that are new to me.  So if you go, make sure to bring something to write with, as you will be writing down lots of hosta names.  I try to make sure nameplates of the hostas are somewhere in all of the pictures.  I also love conventions, because vendors bring their best stock and some plants you might not find anywhere else.

I contacted the Wisconsin Hosta Society about the pricing for the convention.  They said that decided to keep the price of the convention at $144, so there is no penalty for registering late.  They have also added Saturday only registration for $75.  The $75 includes: a light breakfast at the hotel, a bus ride to the five featured garden tours plus a box lunch, the convention auction and the banquet dinner.   So that's a great deal!  Just make sure to write on top of your registration form Saturday Only, if you decide to take advantage of the deal.


The vendor area will be open to the public Friday and Saturday, as well as the leaf show on Friday.  So if you are just dipping your toes in the pool of hosta, that might be a great way to ease yourself into the hosta madness.


More Information and Registration Forms can be found on the Wisconsin Hosta Society Page.

Most asked about trees/shrubs in my yard Part 3

Smoke Bush (my dad kept referring to it as a Burning Bush and confused people:) )

Weeping Siberian Pea Shrub

Tri-colored Beech

Japanese Maple

Most asked about plants part 2

One of the most frequently asked about plants in my garden was Persicaria (or follopia), sometimes also known as Painter's Palette.  I have a few different varieties in my yard.  Some people from the Southern states might see it, and think, "Oh My, you put that weed in your garden!"  But here in Wisconsin it is very well behaved.  Tomorrow I will post the most frequently asked about trees and shrubs in my yard.

Hosta 'Big Daddy'

Masterwort (this one is Ruby Cloud)

Most asked about plants/trees in my garden Part 1

After having the garden walk yesterday, I decided to post my most frequently asked about plants.  I'm hoping it will be helpful to anyone to stopped by and didn't have a chance to write something down or asked me about them.  I will do another post tomorrow with more plants.

My climbing roses which are John Cabot and William Baffin, and do just fine in part sun.

Ligularia japonica

Rudbeckia Herbstonne

Ligularia Osiris Fantaisie

Astilboides tabularis

Preview to tomorrow's garden walk

Here are some small things you might not notice if you go on tomorrow's garden walk.  I am hoping that the weather holds out, as I have heard about 5 different weather forecasts.  Almost all of the forecasts involve rain at one point during the day.  Hope to see some of you tomorrow!
Jen

Meeting Erin Davisson and being on local news

The Cheesehead Garden was featured on local news station WFRV channel 5 tonight, as part of a segment about the upcoming Garden Discoveries garden walk.  I was very excited to meet news anchor, Erin Davisson, as we both love technology and gardening.  It's not a common combination!  We have been in touch with each other over technology and have a lot of friends in common, but we had never met in person.  It was such a great experience, as Erin is as winderful in person as she is on TV.

Erin and Eric (the camera man) visited both my garden and my friend Gina's garden (whom will also be on the garden walk).  Here are some pictures:

Eric doing some garden shots

Eric videoing an interview between Erin and Gina

Myself and Erin Davisson

The segment that aired tonight was about the garden walk, and at a later date a segment will air about being a garden blogger.  I can not thank her enough for coming out, meeting me, and letting me share my garden with an even bigger audience.  I somehow see a plant shopping roadtrip in our future.....

Here is the video from tonight's news:
http://www.wfrv.com/news/greenscene/Garden-Discoveries-Tour-6152011-123940919.html

Garden Walk

Well the yard is finally starting to shape up.  I can't believe that the garden walk is this coming Saturday.  For those of you who don't know, my yard will be one of the eight gardens featured on the Garden Discoveries garden walk presented by the Outagamie County Master Gardeners.

The walk is Saturday, June 18th from 10am-4pm.  The cost is $5 (anyone over 12) and 2 can goods.  Proceeds will go to St Joseph's food pantry, and the Outagamie County Master Gardeners for education programs.  You can start at any of the eight gardens.

Here are complete details: http://www.ocmga.net/pdf/2011%20Garden%20Discoveries.pdf