Meetings & Programs

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023 – 6:30-8:30 p.m

Water Features in the Garden

Speaker: Bill Eagleson

Owner of Eagleson Landscape Co., Inc., Sheridan, IN

Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2023 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Understanding the Origin and Meaning of Japanese Gardens

Speaker: Gayle Sanders

Location: Coxhall Gardens Mansion

Activities 2023

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

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.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 – 1:00-4:00 p.m.

ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION

Location: Coxhall Gardens

Are those cute minis taking over your little garden nook? Revamping an area that is suddenly in full sun? Feeling benevolent and willing to share that coveted Hosta that you just can’t find anymore? It’s never too early to begin planning which of your favorite, unusual, or hard-to-find Hosta you’ll want to contribute to the annual auction.

Do your perennials, bulbs, or grasses need thinning? Want to share some of your herbs or natives? Is your indoor spider plant loaded with babies? Ready to part with those unused tools? Finished with the fairy garden? Other plants and garden-related treasures are welcome!

Early potting of plants will ensure your donations look their best in time for the sale. The annual auction is the main fundraiser supporting your Indianapolis Hosta Society. So grab your shovel, dig early, and come prepared to bid often and generously!

Holiday Party

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023 – 2:00-5:00pm

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 2023

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

PAST ACTIVIES 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, 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!