1

central illinois hosta society October 2013 www.cihshostaclub.org volume 19, issue 8

Connie’s Corner

ell, here it finally is the end of the

season, the time for dreaming and

planning.” One year ago I wrote that

very line. And here I am with still work to do in the

garden. Thank goodness the snow will soon fall and

what doesn’t get done will have to get through!

The last two years serving as your president have

been a joy for me. Even though I hate to speak in

front of people; I was glad that I stepped outside of

my comfort zone. Everyone has been so kind during

my term and I hope that you will continue to do so

with your new president, Deb McCollum.

We all had a great time at our banquet this year. A

small story to share with you about what happened

to me on the way home. When we were taking

down the decoration (the big bouquets) I quickly

grabbed several to put in my office and on my desk

and had piled them in on the front seat of my little

car. So in setting the stage, my front seat was filled

with cut grasses and hosta leaves. I went the back

way through Pekin coming home and as I

approached the Pekin Bridge from the west, I caught

a car out of the corner of my eye on the other side of

the road, totally black. D@@# it was a cop! I

prayed please don’t turn your lights on and then he

did. I prayed please don’t turn around and he did. I

prayed please don’t turn your flashers on, and guess

what? He did. I pulled over and got my license out

as he approached the car. He calmly took it from me

and asked if I knew why he pulled me over. I

replied, “I believe I was speeding.” “Yes, you were

Connie, and do you know how fast you were going?”

“No, but it must have been pretty fast for you to pull me

over,” I answered. “Yes, you were going 61 in a 45

zone, he sternly replied.” (oops) Sidebar – if anyone

knows that road you know how easy it is to speed

there! So then he asks me if I had proof of

insurance. As I reached for the glove box, through the

grasses and leaves, he asked what I had there. I

explained that I was coming from our hosta banquet and

these were the table decorations. He said, “I tell you

what Connie, I’m going to let you go this time but

please slow down.” I thanked him and assured him I

would, and probably drove 40 the rest of the way! So

was he a hosta lover or just a kind cop????

Well, the next time we’ll meet again is in March. I will

have a different job in the club, but a job that I am

looking forward to. Nothing I like better than shopping

for hosta. Spring will be just around the corner then and

we’ll all be ready for some sunshine and dirt. I hope

everyone has a wonderful winter, and that we get

enough snow!!!! I can’t believe this is the last time I’m

saying this- Keep your hands warm!

Your Prez, Connie Z _______________________________________________

Webmaster Needed!!! We are looking for a Webmaster! It entails a little time

each month to update the site. Even if you have little or

no computer experience, we can get

you started with some very brief

training. If interested, contact anyone

on the CIHS Board. It’s a great way to

be involved with the organization.

“W

2

Officers President Deb McCollum 309.361.4284 debmccollum@gmail.com Vice Presidents Gloria Hicks, Jeanette Smith 309.266.7761, 309.387.6549 jameskhicks@hotmail.com cjsmith119@gmail.com Second Vice Presidents Shirley Metz, Donna Cothrell 309.263.7103, 309.694.7648 jametz41@gmail.com dkcothrell@hotmail.com Third Vice President Deb Schoedel 309.699.2762 parttime94@aol.com Recording Secretary Sue Eckhoff 309.925.5267 gardenermom22@gmail.com Corresponding Secretary Maggie Keesey 309.447.5218 magskeesey@gmail.com Treasurer Dan McConnell 309.243.5925 drdtm@mtco.com

To join: Central Illinois Hosta Society $10/year, form on back cover Midwest Reg. Hosta Society $20/2 years, Send dues to: Kristine James, Membership 523 E. Calhoun Street Woodstock, IL 60098 American Hosta Society $30 individual, $57/2 years $34 family, $62/2 years Send dues to: Sandie Markland AHS Membership Secretary Post Office Box 7539 Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

________________________________________________________________

What Works! During his presentation, Rob Mortko and members in the audience mentioned

several products that they have used with great success for various problems in

their gardens.

Osmocote Pro - a slow release coated fertilizer sold by various companies one

of which is Scotts. This is the fertilizer Rob uses in his greenhouses.

Deadline - a very hard little turquoise pellet which contains yeast (to attract the

slugs) and Metaldehyde which causes them to stop feeding and kills them.

Deadline contains 4% Metaldehyde. The exclusive DB27 attractant system

lures slugs and snails toward the bait.

Sluggo - a blend of an iron phosphate based ingredient and bait

additives. Pellets, that are not ingested by snails or slugs, will biodegrade and

become part of the soil in your garden. The bait additives are attractive to snails

and slugs and lure them from their hiding places. Once snails or slugs ingest

Sluggo, they stop eating plants and die within 3-6 days. Sluggo is approved for

organic gardening.

Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care or Bayer Advanced

Disease Control for Roses, Flowers and Shrubs – 3 systemic products in one

that control insects, diseases and fertilizes. This is an excellent product to use to

control Southern Blight on hostas. Read the label to make sure one of the active

ingredients is Tebuconazole. According to Rob, Tebuconazole is the key

chemical needed to treat this fungus.

________________________________________________________________

2014 CIHS Calendar If you are interested in opening your garden

for a meeting in 2015, please contact Gloria Hicks,

Jeanette Smith or a board member.

March 18, 2014, 6:30 pm

Speaker: Ella Maxwell

Freedom Hall

349 W. Birchwood Street, Morton

April 15, 6:30 pm, Potluck

Speaker: Genny Gibbs

Freedom Hall

349 W. Birchwood Street, Morton

May 20, 6:30 pm

Connie Zuercher’s Garden

1448 W. Birchwood, Morton

June 11-14

American Hosta Society Convention

Cedar Rapids, IA

June 17, 6:30 pm

Janet Steen’s Garden

305 Maywood, Morton

Bus Trip

TBA

Midwest Regional Convention

TBA

July 15, 6:30 pm

Roth Daylilies

140 Roth Auction Road, East Peoria

August 19, 6:30 pm

Auction

Freedom Hall

349 W. Birchwood Street, Morton

September Banquet

TBA

3

___________________________________________

The CIHS Board

President: Deb McCollum

Vice President: sets up meetings events and

potluck; Gloria Hicks & Jeanette Smith

Second Vice President: works with V. P. to set up

meetings; sets up auction & banquet; Donna

Cothrell & Shirley Metz Third Vice President: plans bus trip; Deb

Schoedel

Recording Secretary: records and presents

meeting minutes; Sue Eckhoff

Corresponding Secretary: mails thank you notes,

cards, correspondence and does Solberg order;

Maggie Keesey

Treasurer: maintains accounts, pays bills; writes

checks; Dan McConnell

Publicity Chairmen: notifies media of meetings

& events; Shelly Baldini

Education Chairmen: promotes education at

meetings; Ella Maxwell, Bob Streitmatter

Ways and Means Chairmen: hosta of the month

and fund raising; Connie Zuercher

Historian: keeps scrapbook and history of club,

Donna Cothrell Parliamentarian: advises board on parliamentary

procedure; Shirley Metz

Librarian: maintains library; Ella Maxwell

Webmaster: Al Kuhlman

Membership Chairmen: maintains members list

and accepts membership dues; Kathy Allen

Hospitality: sets up refreshments and beverages;

Mike & Sally Pula, Bill & Toni Cottrell

Garden Walk Chairman: John Machens

Publication Chairmen: writes and assembles

newsletter; Bob Streitmatter

___________________________________________

Editor’s Note I always try to print tree-related

articles in the fall issues, since it is a time to

celebrate trees and a great time to plant most trees.

It even gets better…Glenn explores trees that are

better suited for hosta gardens.

t is a well-known fact that in order to grow hostas

successfully, you need to have some shade.

Partial shade is considered the ideal amount for

most hostas. Too much shade restricts growth, and too

little increases the water requirements and risks

scorching the leaves of the hostas. However, the below

ground characteristics of the tree also play a role in the

successful hosta garden. It is this feature that we will

consider.

What characteristics are ideal for the hosta garden tree?

As mentioned above, dappled shade is most desirable.

Also, minimal twig and fruit drop keeps the ground

clean and reduces maintenance. Strong wood is a must.

The tree roots should provide minimal competition

with the hostas for water and nutrients, and provide

adequate space for both to develop. Let us examine

that root system further.

The first root that comes from the embryo of a seed is

the primary root, also called the radicle. In

gymnosperms, such as pines and spruces, and

dicotyledonous plants (most deciduous trees and

shrubs) it forms the taproot. Lateral roots develop from

the primary, both near the root tip and near where the

root and stem meet. In gymnosperms and dicots, the

taproot continues to survive and functions in taking up

water and nutrients.

In a monocot, such as grasses, daylilies, and hostas, the

taproot is short lived. New roots come from

adventitious root buds that develop on stem tissue near

the soil surface. The root system that develops is

fibrous, and generally shallower than the root system

of dicots. It is because of this that monocots are

generally more sensitive to soil moisture stress than

dicots.

The depth of the tree's roots depends on many factors,

such as soil structure, soil texture, and moisture

content. All affect the oxygen present in the soil. It is

important to remember that roots grow between soil

particles. This is the space in the soil taken up by air

and water. Like the top of the plant, roots also need

oxygen to grow and survive. Roots do not search for

oxygen and water. If both are present to their

satisfaction, the roots will grow. Therefore, the depth

of rooting or the extent of a root system is entirely

dependent on the oxygen and moisture levels. In most

trees the vast majority of the feeder roots, those that

take up water and nutrients, are within 6” of the soil

surface, though some may penetrate to a meter 3’ or

more. The spread of a root system usually extends well

beyond the drip line of the tree. In other words, the root

system of a tree is shaped more like a pancake than a

carrot. Prairie plants, which include both monocots and

dicots, are well known for their deep root systems. I

Trees for the Hosta Garden

4

They have evolved in an environment that often

includes extended periods of drought, necessitating

their need to take up moisture from deeper regions of

the soil. However, prairie soils typically are of a silt

loam or clay loam texture, excellent structure allows

the roots, and oxygen, to penetrate to depths

uncharacteristic of most plants.

In order to predict the suitability of tree species for

the hosta garden, I turned to a book that I first used

during my graduate days at the University of

Wisconsin - Madison: The Vegetation of Wisconsin,

an Ordination of Plant Communities by John T.

Curtis, University of Wisconsin Press, 1959. In my

graduate studies, Dr. Ed Hasselkus often referred to

trees as "river bottom trees" or "timber trees." River

bottom trees are native on floodplains and subject to

periodic flooding or high water tables. Timber trees

are on soils that rarely stay saturated for extended

periods. Communities of Dr. Curtis' book that would

be considered river bottom include trees such as

Willow, Cottonwood, River birch, Swamp white oak,

American Elm, Green ash, Silver maple, and trees

that have followed the river systems north such as

Honey locust, Ohio buckeye, and Sycamore. Timber

trees include many oak species (white, red,

chinkapin, bur, etc.), Basswood, Hickory, Sugar

maple, Beech, White and Blue Ash, Kentucky

Coffeetree, Black walnut, and Black cherry. Curtis

also includes Red maple in the timber tree category.

This may be true of those native to Wisconsin, but in

other areas of its native range it grows in the

wetlands and thus would be classified as a river

bottom tree.

River bottom trees must be able to survive under a

wide range of conditions, including flooding and

drought. The soil is often low in oxygen, or has poor

structure. The trees have adapted by developing a

shallow, dense root conditions. Though we see a lot

of them in our neighborhoods, and they can survive

where other trees fail, they are not always ideal

candidates for the hosta garden because of their

aggressive, dense roots, which compete with the

hosta roots.

Though Curtis examines only trees native to

Wisconsin, we have the luxury of using trees from

around the world. Let's examine some of those that I

have successfully used or seen being used in the

hosta garden, starting with trees in the small (below

25 feet) category.

Small maples make excellent companions for hostas in

the shade garden. Unlike their tall relatives, small

maples are native upland understory trees, mainly

found in the Orient. They have evolved with other

plants in close proximity and thus do not present the

root competition that their taller American and

European natives do. Some of my favorites are

cultivars of the Fullmoon maple Acer japonicum such

as 'Green Cascade' and 'Aconitifolium', the Ivy-leaved

maple Acer cissifolium, Paperbark maple Acer

griseum, Nikko maple Acer maximowiczianum, Three-

flowered maple Acer triflorum, and most of all a

hybrid between Acer pensylvanicum and Acer

tegmentosum called 'White Tigress'. Most of these have

outstanding foliage, fall color, and bark interest.

Another small tree worthy of incorporating into the

hosta garden is the northern U.S. species Blue Beech

Carpinus caroliniana, also known as American

Hornbeam or Musclewood. This birch relative has

sinewy bark interest and may have excellent fall

foliage color.

Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana is native to

the Southern US, where it becomes a tall tree, but is

hardy to the north where it stays in the small range.

Flowers are borne sporadically through the summer

and provide outstanding fragrance for the garden. I

have planted herbaceous plants, including hostas, right

up to the trunk without any problems.

Trees in the

medium (maturing

at 25-40’) category

are rare compared

to the other size

classes. One of

the best is our

native Hop-

hornbeam Ostrya

virginiana (pictured at right).

Related to both birches and hornbeams, it has fine bark

texture and interesting hop-like fruit. Problems are

rare with this tough upland tree. Another group of

medium trees is the yellow-flowered Magnolia hybrids

that include the Cucumbertree magnolia Magnolia

acuminata as one of their parents. 'Butterflies' is an

outstanding cultivar. Some references rate these as

small trees, but with the tall Cucumbertree in its blood,

it is likely to reach over 25’. A third medium-sized tree

to consider is the Korean Mountain ash Sorbus

alnifolia. Unlike the European Mountain ash, this one

has few problems with diseases. Flowers, fruit, and an

interesting bark pattern will have you wondering why

5

we don't see this tree used more often. Eventually, it

may get into the tall category.

Tall trees (over 40 feet at maturity) are the backbone

of the shady hosta garden. As mentioned earlier,

those of upland origin provide the least root

competition and most drought tolerance. Hickories

Carya are excellent trees, but many are difficult to

transplant and slow growing. Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis is one of the easier species to

transplant and grows at a medium rate on good soil.

American Beech Fagus grandifolia is one of the

dominant trees of the Eastern deciduous forest. Its

bronze fall color and smooth gray bark provide off-

season interest. Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba is

known by all but shied away from by many because

of its perceived slow growth rate. However, on

decent soil it grows at a moderate rate and has no

insect or disease problems. Another underutilized

native tree is the Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus

dioica. In its infancy it is a hard sell because of

sparse branching, but develops into a fine

moderately-dense tree. Plant the cultivar 'Stately

Manor' if you don't want to take chances on fruit

developing in middle age.

A couple of excellent trees that may not be hardy in

the far north are Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua

and Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera. Both are

hardy in southeast Wisconsin, but may not make it

further north. Sweetgum is known for its outstanding

fall color and star-shaped leaves, while Tulip tree

also has an interesting leaf shape. Tulip tree flowers

resemble those of magnolias, to which it is closely

related.

I mentioned Cucumbertree Magnolia Magnolia

acuminata earlier as a parent of the yellow-flowered

magnolia hybrids, but it is a fine tree in and of itself.

Though it doesn't have notable flowers or fall color,

its large leaves provide a bold texture, which matches

well with hostas, and it is disease free. Native to the

Alleghenies, it has excellent hardiness in the

Midwest.

Many oaks provide excellent shade for the hosta

garden. White oak Quercus alba, Chinkapin oak

Quercus muehlenbergii, Red oak Quercus rubra, and

Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa are all notable upland

trees. Even the riverbottom species, Swamp White

oak Quercus bicolor, is compatible with understory

plants. Chinkapin oak was named the 2009 urban tree

of the year.

Though I haven't had much experience working with

the many elm hybrids now on the market, I will end

this article by mentioning the two that are considered

the best of the bunch. They are 'Accolade,' (pictured

below) a cross between Ulmus japonica and Ulmus

wilsonii, and Triumph™ ('Morton Glossy'), a cross

between 'Accolade' and 'Vanguard.' I would appreciate

any feedback you have on using these plants in the

hosta garden, or with any others that you deem worthy.

Small Trees for the Hosta Garden:

Mature at less than 25’

Acer japonicum Fullmoon Maple 'Green Cascade'

Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' Cutleaf Fullmoon

Maple

Acer cissifolium Ivy-leaved Maple

Acer griseum Paperbark Maple

Acer maximowiczianum Nikko Maple

Acer 'White Tigress' White Tigress Maple

Acer triflorum Three-flowered Maple

Carpinus caroliniana Blue Beech; American

Hornbeam

Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia

Medium Trees for the Hosta Garden:

Mature between 25 and 40’

Ostrya virginiana Hop Hornbeam

Magnolia 'Butterflies' Butterflies Magnolia

Sorbus alnifolia Korean Mountainash

Tall Trees for the Hosta Garden:

Mature over 40’

Carya cordiformis Bitternut Hickory

Fagus grandifolia American Beech

Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree

Gymnocladus dioica Kentucky Coffeetree

Liquidambar styraciflua American Sweetgum

Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip tree

Magnolia acuminata Cucumbertree Magnolia

Quercus alba White Oak

Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak

Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak

Quercus muehlenbergii Chinkapin Oak

Quercus rubra Red Oak

Ulmus 'Accolade' Accolade Elm (lower right)

Ulmus 'Morton Glossy' Triumph™ Elm

By Glenn Herold, Cedarburg,

WI; retired professor at ICC and

former CIHS President; reprinted

from the spring issue of the

Midwest Hosta Society Newsletter

“Hosta Leaves” (issue # 72)

6

…Čzech it Out! The 2014 AHS Convention is less than a year

away. Harshbarger Hosta Society is excited to be

your hosts for this convention. We have been

planning and working hard to make your visit to

Iowa a positive experience, and the convention a

memorial one. The convention will feature

optional bus tours on Wednesday and Thursday

to showcase our local culture and cuisine

The Amana Colonies are a world renowned

tourist destination that offers old world German

charm.

The National Czech and Slovak Museum and

Library celebrate the culture and heritage of

thousands of Czech and Slovak immigrants to

Linn and Johnson counties.

Of course, the real reason for attending the

convention is for the hostas and gardens.

The rich black soil of the heartland provides an

excellent environment for beautiful gardens

accented with the creative flavor of Middle

America.

We have 10 exciting gardens for you to visit

on Friday and Saturday

More optional gardens on Sunday as you

return home

Harshbarger Hosta Society is excited and proud

to be hosting the 2014 AHS convention. We will

have the Collins Road Marriott Hotel to

ourselves to enhance the experience.

Come to the

convention

to… See our Hostas!

Sample our

Heritage (be sure to check out

yours)

Experience our Warm Midwestern

Hospitality

See some great convention gardens

Come to Cedar

Rapids

June 11-14, 2014

Vitáme Vás (We welcome you)

7

Trees for Winter Interest In keeping with Glenn’s article I included a list of Trees with

noteworthy winter characteristics such as foliage, flower, fruit,

seeds, bark, branching and/or form. Genus and/or species are

noted in italic and spp. designates multiple species.

Fir Abies spp.

Red Maple Acer Rubrum

Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

Alder Alnus spp.

Serviceberry Amelanchier spp.

Birch Betula spp.

Hornbeam Carpinus spp.

Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood Cornus mas

Dogwood Cornus spp.

Contorted Filbert Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

Turkish Filbert Corylus colurna

Hawthorn Crataegus spp.

Beech Fagus spp.

Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba

Common Witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana

Juniper Juniperus spp.

Flowering Crab Malus spp.

Spruce Picea spp.

Pine Pinus spp.

Shingle Oak Quercus imbricaria

Sumac Rhus spp.

Pussy Willow Salix spp.

Arborvitae Thuga spp.

Hemlock Tsuga canadensis

Summer is the time for outdoor living. The experts at Green View can design and build

a landscape that suits your lifestyle.

Visit us on facebook or at www.greenview.com for a fresh look at our landscapes, seminars,

events and sales

Knowledgeable Garden Center Staff • Beautiful quality plants Award-Winning Landscaping & Maintenance Services

www.greenview.com • 309.243.7761 2700 W. Cedar Hills Drive, Dunlap

8

Central Illinois Hosta Society P.O. Box 3098 Peoria, IL 61612-3098

First Class Postage

Check us Out!!!!

www.cihshostaclub.org

Newsletter Deadline: 20th of the preceding month Submit items for publication to: Bob Streitmatter 309.264.4813 goldaandbob@hotmail.com

CIHS Membership Form (please print)

Name(s)____________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________ City______________________________State_________ Zip__________

Phone_________________E-mail _______________________________

Dues are $10/year: new renewal Amount. Enclosed ____________

Make check payable to CIHS; mail check and form to: Central Illinois Hosta Society, P.O. Box 3098, Peoria, IL 61612-3098

For information regarding dues or membership, contact Kathy Allen at 309.645.7908 or kallenwr@gmail.com