Events & Programs
ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 : 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM at Coxhall Gardens
FOOD! Prior to our annual auction, we’ve always had a pitch in. This year we are going with ‘finger foods’ prior to our auction event. We ask each attendee or family to bring an item suitable to be eaten while auction is occurring. The auction is slated to begin at 1 PM. Arrive by 12:30 PM for a short social section before the action begins.
AUCTION PROCESS:
- Upon arrival register with the treasurer to receive your bidding paddle. Registrants will also receive a free seedling. Quantity is limited so get there early.
- Bring your donations to the northside patio for set up when you arrive. You can drive up and drop them off, then park your car after.
- For donations, in addition to hosta we are open to shade and sun perennial companions, trees, shrubs or specialty plants. House plants welcome, as well. Please put each plant in a plastic bag to help keep the meeting space clean. Books, magazines are not big auction sellers but if you have something special bring it along.
- Just to pique your interest so far we have: ‘Gunter’s Rim’; ‘Latte’ (‘23 registration offered for the first time); ‘Inniswood’ clump taken from an 8 ft wide plant donated by Victoria Seraphin from upstate NY; ‘Calamity Jane’; large clumps from ‘Yankee Blue’, ‘Azure Frills’, “American Idol’, an older registration but first time offering, from S&S sport worth a high bid based on name alone. In addition there are Louisiana Iris and Ajuga ‘Cordial Canary’, a little leafed variety, offered in a 32 container flat with retail value over $600. Fox Nursery from northern IN may also be coming, they always have very large plants. We look forward to your surprises as well.
Proceeds from the auction income go to maintaining society services and events including our future Coxhall Display Garden. The beginnings are noticeable upon arrival paralleling the walkway leading to the mansion.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023 – 6:30 PM -8:30 PM
Water Features in the Garden
Speaker: Bill Eagleson
Owner of Eagleson Landscape Co., Inc., Sheridan, IN
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 – 6:30 PM -8:30 PM
Understanding the Origin and Meaning of Japanese Gardens
Speaker: Gayle Sanders
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
Holiday Party
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
The annual holiday party will be the final event of the year, and once again will be held at our new venue, Coxhall Gardens Mansion. We will enjoy a festive pitch-in with members bringing their favorite dish to share. There will be games, games, games with loads of fabulous prizes. There may even be a few special Hosta to be won, and who doesn’t want more Hosta!! This is a time to come and visit with fellow members, enjoy delectable food, and share in the holiday spirit with Hosta friends!
PAST EVENTS & PROGRAMS 2023
Hosta College
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MARCH 17-18, 2023
Hosta College
Piqua, Ohio
Each year during March, the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of the American Hosta Society, of which IHS is a member, hosts a symposium of approximately 350 enthusiastic gardeners from the Midwest, other parts of the US, Canada, and even Europe. This gathering is called Hosta College and traditionally takes place at Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua, Ohio. In 2023, Hosta College will once again be held IN PERSON in Piqua on March 17-18. ALL Indianapolis Hosta Society members are welcome to attend this excellent, educational event and are eligible for preferential registration and a reduced fee for Hosta College. For complete information, check the Hosta College website: http://www.hostacollege.org
Plan ahead to attend in 2024!
SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023 – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Spring Wildflowers/Ephemerals
Speaker: Tess Park
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
What It Takes to Bring A Plant To Market
Speaker: Broch Martindale
Owner of Wildflower Flower Farm, Jamestown, IN.
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023 – 1:00-4:00 p.m.
What is a Hosta Leaf Show and How Do I Enter?
Speaker: Carol Youngblood
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
Carol Youngblood, local IHS member and AHS judge, will provide a presentation on what a hosta cut leaf show is all about. Members will learn what’s important when selecting hosta leaves for a leaf show, how to prepare the leaves and how to display them for judging. Carol will provide insight into what the judges are looking for in that blue ribbon leaf. The program aims to demystify this process so more members will feel comfortable participating in future leaf shows.
Members Only Plant Sale to Follow!
Local Garden Tours Saturday, July 8th, 1pm – 4pm
Franklin-Gersich Garden
This garden is young! On what was two vacant city lots, Kelly and Lana built their new home and moved in April 2019. Even before the house was finished, they cleared invasive honeysuckle and winter creeper and numerous damaged and dead trees on the 3-acre property. They dug and relocated over 400 Hosta and over 100 daylilies from their previous home, as well as several trees, shrubs, and other perennials.
The property has a nice balance of shade and sun. In addition to their collection of Hosta cultivars that now number almost 700, the shady areas include several ferns, astilbe, and other companion plants. The sunny beds include the daylilies, a variety of perennials, and a growing assortment of conifers. New trees, shrubs, and perennials are continuously being planted to not only ensure enough shade for the ever-growing Hosta collection, but to provide food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. As with most gardens, this is a constant work in progress!
Saturday, July 8th, 1pm – 4pm
The Jable Garden
Welcome to our garden. It has evolved over 46 years from sunny to shady and now a combination. Overgrown shrubs were removed for perennial beds. Truckloads of soil and tons of rock and landscape blocks have been added to form terraces, raised and well defined beds.
Beyond the planting of hundreds of hostas and scores of companion perennials, the garden has been planted with spring/summer flowering bulbs and native plants. Wildlife is welcome and birds are encouraged.
Garden art is a passion so be prepared for an experience of ceramic, glass and metal flora and fauna. The garden is not big, but hopefully you will find it has alot to offer.
Parking is available in the driveway, on the street and cul-de-sac
For plants, pottery, fountains and everything you need to beautify your outdoor space Rosie’s Garden Center is a short walk from Glenn’s garden if you are in the mood to do some shopping.
Carmel, IN
Local Garden Tours Saturday, July 8th, 1pm – 4pm
Beth Frailey
My garden is always a work in progress. In the last three years we have lost five huge trees. That has drastically changed our backyard to only half shade. This may require some plant moving until the baby Flame Thrower grows. Sun gardens surround the house and hillside. Most were planted before I became a master gardener so defintely not a planned garden. This is my first ever garden tour because I couldn’t say ‘no’. I use a golf cart to get up and down my one acre hill which will be available for that part of the tour. Be kind and enjoy the wild journey!
This is a two for one tour. Jog across the street and enjoy Giesela Miller’s gardens.
Traders Point, Indianapolis
Local Garden Tours Saturday, July 8th, 1pm – 4pm
Gisella Miller
The gardens began after the site was cleared in 1980 when the home was built. Many trees were removed from the property for the home. Every tree removed had a new one added around the new home. Now the property looks like the home was built in the woods. Giesela still lives on the property and says her gardens are a respite after a busy week of travel with her job. She is passionate about flowers and balancing perennial colors. She recently had some giant trees removed and has begun adding young flowering trees to her gardens. This is her first garden tour.
Traders Point, Indianapolis
Annual Bus Trip
Weekend Coach Trip July 28th – 30
Click Link to Register
https://ihs2023bustrip.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2138591134
This year we are planning a coach trip to Michigan the last weekend in July, coinciding with the Michigan Garden Plant Tour. Michigan State University has a coordinated open house with leading young plant producers. The tour educates professional growers and industry experts about plant selections and their garden performance. This allows us to tour some participating greenhouses and their trial gardens. We will be sure to visit Walters Gardens which is known for its Hosta growing program. Another highlight will be to visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a top cultural destination known internationally for the quality of their art and gardens. This is a unique opportunity to hang with your fellow hostaphiles and relish this fun-filled getaway to view these spectacular gardens!
Look for IHS Flash emails with upcoming sign-up information.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2023 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wildlife in the Garden
Speaker: Amanda Smith
Superintendent of Natural Resources & Education
Hamilton Co. Parks & Recreation
Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion
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