2026 Class List

  

SECOND HOUR

2001 – Waking up your lawn– Mike Liston
You’ll receive recommendations for what gardeners should be doing during the early Spring to get their lawns off to a good start. I will discuss the following cultural practices for a typical growing season: mowing, aeration, irrigation, overseeing, fertilization, weed, thatch, insect, disease, and pest control. Chemical and organic fertilizers will be discussed. Pest, insect, and weed control discussions will include both chemical and natural methods of control. We’ll discuss things to consider when choosing a professional service. I have a common-sense approach to lawn care where I focus on doing the things that keep turfgrass healthy with minimal use of pesticides. 

Bio: B.S. from The Ohio State University College of Agriculture- Agronomy major, Worked in the Green Industry with experience in turf care, horticulture, tree care/arboriculture. I have 15 years teaching experience.  I have taught both middle school and high school science. I currently teach agronomy, horticulture, urban forestry and natural resources at Tolles Career and Technical Center.

2002 – Current Hosta Science Research and Why Hosta Gardeners Might Care – Bob Solberg
We will look at some recent research on hostas. Do you know there are five new hosta species? That we mix 9 different colors to get red and purple petioles and the color of hosta flowers? Which hostas do best in sun and shade and the effects of latitude on a hosta’s general attitude? Nothing too heavy!

Bio: Bob Solberg is the owner of Green Hill Farm Inc., introducing new hostas to the wholesale and retail hosta community. He is a hosta hybridizer with over 100 hosta introductions, publisher of the Green Hill Gossip newspaper, AHS Historian, and Regional Director of the Dixie Region.

2003 – How to Set Up a Public Plant Exchange – Lisa Greene & Cecelia Bidigare
Spring and fall are the perfect times to refresh your garden, and what better way to do so than by hosting a community plant exchange! Lisa Greene and Cecelia Bidigare have perfected the art of organizing large-scale plant swaps that attract nearly 100 gardeners. Learn how to choose the right location, market your event, manage logistics, and create an engaging, sustainable tradition that brings people together through the love of plants.

Bio: Lisa Greene, a lifelong gardening enthusiast and past president of the Miami Valley Hosta Society (1999), has long been dedicated to plant education and community gardening. Cecelia Bidigare has led plant exchanges for more than 20 years, helping gardeners expand their collections and connect through a shared love of plants. Together, they have transformed plant swaps into joyful community events, where friendships grow and gardening knowledge flourishes.

2004 – Goat Milk Soap Making Demonstration – Marilyn Ruff
How do you spend your time during the months when you can’t be outside in your garden? I know that a lot of you start hosta seedlings, but I make simple, beautiful, pure, all-natural, Goat Milk Soap. 

This class will be a DEMONSTRATION only. It is intended to show you how I make soap. You will be able to observe & ask questions while I demonstrate the process for you. I will also discuss the importance of using lye safely. Cost includes your choice of 2 bars of my handcrafted Goat Milk Soap. 
*ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT & TO BRING THEIR OWN SAFETY GOGGLES *
Fee: $15 – Limit: 15

Bio: Marilyn has 24 years of experience gardening with hostas & has over 1000 varieties of hostas.  She is obsessed with miniature hostas & has almost 300 miniature hostas in her collection. 

2005 – Succulent Sensations: Create Your Own Planter – Andrea Geske 
Discover the art of succulent arranging as you design a unique planter you’ll love. I’ll guide you through selection, care, and styling. Leave with a beautiful, personalized arrangement and confidence in caring for it.
Fee: $25 – Limit: 24

2006 – Advantages of House Wrens in Your Garden (If you build it they will come.)– Glenn Jable
We will explore the biology and habits of the tiny, active, and feisty bird with the bubbly song. These “hole dwellers” are my only method of slug control in my garden. You too can employ your own “migrant workers” in your garden and enjoy their antics and song. They work “cheep.”   You will then build a wren house from a dried gourd to take with you. All necessary materials and tools provided. 
Fee: $5 – Limit: 15

Bio: Glenn is a retired entomologist with a life-long passion for plants, nature and building things.

2007 – Snow Tolerant Early Blooms; Winter Aconites and Other Collectors’ Plants – Glen Pace
This program will focus on selected forms of the Eranthis (Winter Aconite), which bloom in early spring and very often through snow cover. It will also feature selected plants from other snow-tolerant families such as Galanthus and Cyclamen.

These plants extend the blooming season by flowering earlier than anything else in the garden.  Bees thoroughly enjoy pollen from these blooms, and it is so heart-warming to see blooms when the temperatures are still often below freezing at night.   

Bio:  Glen has a collector’s garden in Clio, MI and has been gardening for more than 60 years.   His love for spring ephemeral plants made Pace Gardens grow to the level of having pathways between gardens instead of a lawn.  He has taught at Hosta College for many years and enjoys sharing his knowledge with class attendees.

2008 – The Test of Time: Perennials Worth Planting in 2026 – VIRTUAL CLASS – Mike Benedict
At Millcreek Gardens, countless new plant introductions pass through our greenhouses each year. Some prove their value and become long-lasting garden staples—but which ones rise to the top, and how are they chosen? In this session, we explore the perennials of 2026 that continue to impress and show true staying power.

Bio: Mike Benedict, Account Manager and Sales Office Supervisor, has been with Millcreek Gardens since graduating from The Ohio State University in 2013. Millcreek Gardens is a wholesale nursery specializing in high-quality container-grown perennials, herbs, and annuals, serving customers throughout the Ohio Valley region.

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THIRD HOUR

3001– First Lunch Choice of Chicken Salad Croissant or Glazed Ham Sandwich. Your choice/s of the following: Chili, Pasta Salad, Fresh Relishes with Dip, Fresh Fruit Bowl, Tossed Salad, Cookies and Brownies, Assorted Drinks.

3002 – Baptisia at Its Best – Laura Robles
Follow the journey of Baptisia from its native heritage to its place among today’s gardens. This session explores Walters Gardens’ breeding program, production practices, and the standout cultivars reshaping gardens nationwide.

Bio: Laura Robles is a Regional Product Manager for Walter’s Gardens, Inc in Zeeland, MI.  She oversees sales in the Northeast, and is responsible for managing the trailing program sent out to customers. Laura has been involved in horticulture industry for over 29 years: in various aspects including retail, public gardening, growing and research, and now sales and technical support.  She received a B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and a B.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University, and is an alumnus of the Greenhouse Product News 40 Under 40 class pf 2013.

3003 – Hydrangeas for Every Garden -VIRTUAL CLASS – Kevin Kelly 
Hydrangeas are beloved for their generous blooms and garden presence. Join Master Gardener Kevin Kelly for a clear, practical introduction to the major hydrangea species, what makes them different, and how to select the right one for your garden. Learn which varieties reliably bloom, which offer pollinator value, and how to prune correctly for best performance. Discover how to match hydrangeas to your landscape so they can thrive and become standout features in every season.

Bio: Kevin Kelly is a Penn State Master Gardener who combines gardening science, experience, and passion to inspire others. He has a popular webinar “Home Gardening Series”, presents at dozens of garden clubs, and opens his 1/3rd acre suburban garden for multiple garden tours each year. He serves on the Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Selection Committee. His garden has multiple certifications as a Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat garden.

3004 – Creative Design with Recycled Materials – Naomi Ormes
This will be a creative design session using recycled materials and maybe some hints on using hosta in design. I have a passion for creating designs using containers that are not containers but began life as something totally different. I will share stories of how the recycled materials ended up in my stash, and how they can be adapted to design.

Bio: Naomi Ormes has been a member of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs since 1973 and has held many positions and is currently the State Design Study Chair, she has been an instructor at Exhibitor and Judges Schools, won many awards in Design and Horticulture, and done many Garden Club programs since becoming an accredited judge. Naomi was born and raised in Virginia, the middle child of 14 children of hard-working parents.  They were raised learning to recycle anything and everything to meet the needs of the family, Her Dad was a brick mason and built houses including their own home on an 89 acre farm which they purchased when she was 13 years old.  Her Mom raised chickens, pigs, cows, dahlias, and any vegetables that she could grow to feed the children.  Her Dad was a musician, sang in a quartet, built his own banjos and fiddles using pearl buttons to use in the fretboard of the banjos.  Recycling was and is still a way of life.

3005 – Ron’s Favorite Witch Hazels–Ron Schilb
This class will discuss the speaker’s favorite witch hazels. He has 16 shrubs in his yard of almost ½ an acre. They help provide 365 days of bloom, and they are a source of beauty, color, and nectar for the native and honey bees in the winter when we have such uncertain and fluctuating temperatures.

Bio: Ron Schilb is a master gardener, certified arborist, and Ohio Certified Horticultural Technician. He worked at Metropark in Montgomery County for 11 years, was a biology teacher at Oakwood High School for 18 years, and a science teacher at Centreville, OH for 13 years.

3006 – Houseplants I Have Known and Loved – Barbara Meyers
Plants grown in our homes, or houseplants as we call them, come in all sizes and shapes. From the tiniest air plant to 6-foot-tall floor plants, they can bring great joy and cause great frustration. The secret is knowing the growing culture of the plant and meeting its needs. This class will discuss the history of houseplants, plant selection, plant requirements, and successful growing in the home environment.

Bio: Barbara J. Myers, London, Ohio, joined a garden club in 1968 and never looked back. A member of the Open Gate Garden Club, she has held all garden club offices and after a four-year run, stepped down as Ohio Association of Garden Clubs regional director over 6 counties. An OAGC flower show judge for 48 years she judges club, regional, county fair, convention and Ohio State Fair flower shows. A retired member of the Madison Herb Society and an emeritus OSU Master Gardener, she is a member of the Central Ohio Hosta Society.

3007 – Stunning Spring Gardens Using Spring Bulbs – Brenda Miller
Horticulture industry professional Brenda Miller will share ideas & tips on how to maximize the potential of spring bulbs, both common and unusual. Discover how bulbs are ideal companions to hostas for an extended season of garden color. Learn about designing with, planting, and protecting your bulbs to help you achieve vibrant displays that you can count on for years!  This session has something to offer every hosta enthusiast, novice, or professional.

Bio:  Brenda Miller has spent almost 25 years working in office positions in the green industry, mostly at wholesale nurseries and currently at a landscape company. Her plant knowledge has not come from the classroom, but from lifelong home gardening and from her career positions. A stint in Connecticut & working for a national bulb importer/seller provided a true bulb education and created a passion.  She grew up learning full-sun flower gardening but developed an appreciation for hostas and shade gardening when her own house had shady areas.  Her hosta collection is still small (under 20 varieties) and her daffodil collection is up to 25 varieties.  Other plant collections are peonies and daylilies. Brenda lives with her husband in central Indiana, in the country where it is still Zone 5.  She has many interests and hobbies, lamenting lack of time to pursue all!

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FOURTH HOUR

4001 – SECOND LUNCH Choice of Chicken Salad Croissant or Glazed Ham Sandwich. Your choice/s of the following: Chili, Pasta Salad, Fresh Relishes with Dip, Fresh Fruit Bowl, Tossed salad, Cookies and Brownies, Assorted Drinks.

4002 – All About Hostas – Don Rawson
This PowerPoint presentation covers much general information for the beginning and semi-advanced hosta gardener, including a brief survey of hosta species, how to plant a hosta, fertilizer and mulch, watering techniques, and hosta problems such as slugs, deer, crown rot, hosta virus X, and nematodes.
Class notes will be provided with this presentation.

Bio: Don lives on four acres near Grand Rapids, MI.  He and his wife have many flower gardens in which they grow hostas, irises, daylilies and other perennials.  Don enjoys hybridizing new hosta cultivars and rock hounding … which explains why his landscape is filled with many one-of-a-kind hostas, as well as, unusual rocks and boulders.  Don currently serves as the president of the West Michigan Hosta Society and the co-chairman of the Nomenclature Committee of the AHS. 

4003 – The Late Show – Pat Greeson
Gardening is great in spring and summer, but what is left when it comes to fall color? We will explore a wide variety of perennials and some annuals that do not start putting on a show until after Labor Day. These plants put on a really great “Late Show.”

Bio: Pat Greeson is a lifelong resident and Gardening Enthusiast of Southern Clermont County Ohio who has been employed by the Natorp companies for the past 39 years; consisting of 20 years of retail experience & 19 years in grower/sales. Pat has gained a wealth of knowledge through research and trial and error in his own garden. He is a master certified Ohio Certified Nursery Technician. He is also the current President of Taking Root- an urban and re-forestry campaign in the Greater Cincinnati area.

4004 – Jazz Up Your Container Gardens – Jim Chakeres
Jazz Up Your Container Gardens is a fun container design class that will challenge your creativity and traditional way of thinking. Annuals are great, especially new and fun varieties, but I want more, bigger, textural, container interest. Learn how to think outside the box and incorporate tropicals, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and perennials. I often feature Hostas in my container designs. This class is informative and fun with a number of live plant examples onsite.

Bio: Jim Chakeres is an avid gardener and has an appreciation for all gardens, large and small, private and public. He gardens on a very small tract of land at his home near German Village, Columbus, Ohio. Jim is most known for his container gardens, both in his garden and in competition. Some of Jim’s favorite plants include Hostas, Coleus, and most any member of the Alocasia and Colocasia species. He has a new affinity for all things Philodendron. His favorite container designs are nontraditional and incorporate unique combinations of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, houseplants, vegetables and succulents. He is past president of the German Village Garten Club and liaison to the OAGC Board. Jim Chakeres’ on-plant world has him serving as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Poultry Association since 2003. The Association represents Ohio’s egg, chicken and turkey farmers. Before joining the Ohio Poultry Association, Jim worked with the Ohio and American Sheep Industry Associations, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and a regional farm cooperative. He received Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Agriculture from Ohio State University.

4005 – Designing Our Garden Despite What My Husband Thought – Audrey Schilb
My presentation will be based on my humble experience in designing 3 separate areas in our garden.
A)   Patio & Herb Garden Rehab… a Solution for Weeds, Weeds, Weeds
B)  The Trifecta – a Shade Garden, Japanese Dry River Bed, & Rain Garden…a Solution for Lake Schilb & Mud Pies
C)  Red Bud Garden… a Solution for Naked Dirt 

Bio: As a frustrated garden designer, I’ve added or altered various plant beds despite what my husband thought. I’ve chronicled the evolution of our garden.

4006 – Hostas and their Shady Friends – Bob Iiames
This PowerPoint will guide you through the culture, care, and many uses of hosta. We will spend most of our time seeing and discussing the many and varied plant friends that hang out with hosta. Some you may know, but many will be new to you. Join me for an informative look at some new plant friends to introduce to your hosta garden.

Bio: Bob is a former groundskeeper for the 175-acre Lange Estate in Ludlow Falls, OH. He is a member of and the current Director of the American Conifer Society and a member of the Miami Valley Hosta Society.

4007 – How to Successfully Raise Honey Bees – Fran and Tom Davidson
We offer a multimedia presentation on what it takes to keep honey bees in a modern hobby or sideline environment. We show an exciting video of installing our first package of bees. We also use another video to teach the parts of the hive and show the various types of bees and tasks they perform. We will demonstrate examples of the equipment used to work with bees, costs, and safety concerns. We conclude with a video on how to plant a bee-friendly garden, just in case you only want bees to visit your gardens rather than move in.

Bio: Tom and Fran Davidson are both certificated Master Beekeepers and Master Gardeners. They have been owners and operators of Golden Queen Honey LLC since 2011 and maintain 42 Beehives on 6 acres in Clark County. They have taught a seven Hour beginning beekeeping course for 10 years in Clark County and continue to mentor more than 3 dozen successful graduates. Fran is vice president of Miami Valley Beekeepers Association and Tom is past president of Clark County Master Gardeners. Their honey has received high recognition for taste and quality in State and regional competitions and they are especially proud that they raise healthy bees with a greater than 90% survival rate for the past 10 winters.

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FIFTH HOUR

5001 – Hummingbird Fun – Making a Hummingbird Perch – Marilyn Ruff  
Each participant will make an adorable HUMMINGBIRD PERCH to take home with them & we will have fun talking about these fascinating little birds & our personal experiences & interactions with them in our gardens. All supplies will be provided.
Fee: $10 – Limit: 15

Bio: Marilyn has 24 years of experience gardening with hostas & has over 1000 varieties of hostas. She is obsessed with miniature hostas & has almost 300 miniature hostas in her collection. 

5002 – Current Topics on Hostas – Bob Solberg
A wide-ranging discussion of hosta topics at the forefront of Hostadom today. This is a student-driven class, you supply the questions, we share the answers. A little opinion, philosophy, and fact.
Limit 30

Bio: Bob Solberg is the owner of Green Hill Farm Inc., introducing new hostas to the wholesale and retail hosta community. He is a hosta hybridizer with over 100 hosta introductions, publisher of the Green Hill Gossip newspaper, AHS Historian, and Regional Director of the Dixie Region.

5003 – The Next Big Thing in Perennials: Walter’s Gardens 2026 Introductions – Laura Robles
Take a look behind the scenes at what’s coming to retail for 2026, as well as a few sneak peeks. This session highlights the latest breeding breakthroughs, standout Proven Winners® introductions, and the up-and-coming plants you’ll want on your radar.

Bio: Laura Robles is a Regional Product Manager for Walter’s Gardens, Inc in Zeeland, MI.  She oversees sales in the Northeast, and is responsible for managing the trailing program sent out to customers. Laura has been involved in horticulture industry for over 29 years: in various aspects including retail, public gardening, growing and research, and now sales and technical support. She received a B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and a B.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University, and is an alumnus of the Greenhouse Product News 40 Under 40 class pf 2013.

5004 – Hellebores: Winter’s Jewel in the Garden VIRTUAL CLASS – Kevin Kelly
Discover the beauty and resilience of hellebores—shade-loving perennials that bloom when little else does. Explore the key species and hybrids, the best varieties for home gardens, and how to grow them successfully. Learn practical tips on soil care and plant selection to enjoy these long-lived, evergreen winter bloomers that truly shine in the quiet season.

Bio: Kevin Kelly is a Penn State Master Gardener who combines gardening science, experience, and passion to inspire others. He has a popular webinar “Home Gardening Series”, presents at dozens of garden clubs, and opens his 1/3rd acre suburban garden for multiple garden tours each year. He serves on the Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Selection Committee. His garden as multiple certifications as a Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat garden.

5005 – Tips That Save Time, Work and Money in the Garden – Don Rawson
This class offers very practical advice ranging from plant care, weeding, watering, and mulching to fall clean-up and composting. All gardeners will learn something that can save them work and time in the garden. Class notes are offered with the presentation.

Bio: Don lives on four acres near Grand Rapids, MI.  He and his wife have many flower gardens in which they grow hostas, irises, daylilies, and other perennials.  Don enjoys hybridizing new hosta cultivars and rock hounding which explains why his landscape is filled with many one-of-a-kind hostas, as well as, unusual rocks and boulders.  Don currently serves as the president of the West Michigan Hosta Society and the co-chairman of the Nomenclature Committee of the AHS. 

5006 – Butterfly Oasis: Build a Garden Waterer for Pollinators – Andrea Geske
Learn how to craft an inviting water feature specifically for butterflies and other beneficial insects. Using simple materials and plant-wise design tips, you’ll leave with a ready-to-go waterer and new planting ideas to support your pollinator garden.
Fee: $25 – Limit: 24

5007 – Use Native Plants in Your Yard – Fran and Tom Davidson
This class is based on the teaching and books of Douglas Tallamy and other entomologists who advocate planting native plants in our yards instead of turf grass and other non-native cultivars that did not evolve as part of the local landscape. Lack of native plants, especially keystone plants are blamed for a lack of biodiversity around our residences and loss of insects, birds, plants, and wildlife that once flourished nearby. The class covers keystone native plants recommended for Miami County and provides landscape ideas, and how-to techniques for propagating native plants in our yards and surroundings.

Bio: Tom and Fran Davidson are both certificated Master Beekeepers and Master Gardeners. They have been owners and operators of Golden Queen Honey LLC since 2011 and maintain 42 Beehives on 6 acres in Clark County. They have taught a seven Hour beginning beekeeping course for 10 years in Clark County and continue to mentor more than 3 dozen successful graduates. Fran is vice president of Miami Valley Beekeepers Association and Tom is past president of Clark County Master Gardeners. Their honey has received high recognition for taste and quality in State and regional competitions and they are especially proud that they raise healthy bees with a greater than 90% survival rate for the past 10 winters.

5008 – Creating Micro Climates – Esther Benedict
This class will cover the different ways of cultivating alpines; how to construct sanded, crevice beds, trough gardening, bog gardening, soil mixes, winter protection, etc.

Bio: I have been gardening for over 35 years and particularly enjoy propagating, and seed sowing. This has led to the development of Benedict’s Nursery, which specializes in alpines and other unusual plants. With the help of my husband, we maintain numerous display gardens, including sand beds, shady tufa crevice garden, hypertufa troughs, bog beds and a sunny crevice bed.

5009 – Chaos vs. Cohesion….Creating Design in the Hosta Garden – Bob Iiames
Are you a plant nut like me? Do you love to buy hosta and plants in general? Do you get home and wonder, “How am I going to plant these so they don’t look like soldiers in a row?” Join me for a look at some gardens and gardeners who have solved the collector’s garden dilemma. See how they have created a cohesive look in their gardens through the use of color, texture,  shape and form. We will talk about how to put it all together so you CAN have one of everything and still have a beautiful and harmonious garden. 

Bio: Bob is a former groundskeeper for the 175 acre Lange Estate in Ludlow Falls, OH. He is a member of and the current Director of the American Conifer Society and a member of the Miami Valley Hosta Society.

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SIXTH HOUR

6001 –Applying Mathematical Principles to the Home Landscape – Byron Baxter
I will show the various uses of conifers in the landscape based on multiple considerations. We will also discuss multiple cultivars with their different forms and how they can be used to enhance your landscape. Explanations of how the modern nursery industry produces and markets plants compared with 40 years ago.

Bio: Nursery industry sales since 1987. Have sold for the largest nurseries in Oregon, Tennessee, North Carolina, and British Columbia. Owner of Dendrological Sales, which was started in 1999 as a niche nursery in New Richmond, Ohio, growing dwarf and miniature Conifers and Japanese Maples. Still operating. In 2004-2008, Dendrological Sales had nine outside sales personnel servicing the eastern, Midwest, and Great Plains states. In 2010-2020, two original sales personnel remained.

6002 – Advanced Hosta Hybridizing 2026 What’s Hot and What’s Not – Bob Solberg 
What hosta characteristics are most in demand by hosta collectors today, and do nursery folks agree? Also, a look at the degree of difficulty in maximizing these traits. Are sports still in high demand? Then, maybe a little show and tell.
Limit: 30

Bio: Bob Solberg is the owner of Green Hill Farm Inc., introducing new hostas to the wholesale and retail hosta community. He is a hosta hybridizer with over 100 hosta introductions, publisher of the Green Hill Gossip newspaper, AHS Historian, and Regional Director of the Dixie Region.

6003 – Gardening Smarter – Audrey Schilb
All gardeners age. We all need to learn how to work smarter, not harder, by using better & more innovative tools and equipment.

Bio: I have 35 years of using gardening tools that have led to repeated physical overuse or injury.

6004 – Painting with Pam – Pam Rawson
Learn how to use a sponge by painting your own 16” one-of-a-kind garden art. Metal pieces are donated by Roeda Studio, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan. Pam will provide plenty of colors of paint with sponges, brushes, and aprons. Students are welcome to bring their own acrylic paint if desired.
Limit: 12 – Fee: $15

Bio: Pam lives on four acres near Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She and her husband have many flower gardens in which they grow hostas, irises, daylilies, and other perennials. Pam enjoys walking through the gardens and painting outdoor metal art. Pam currently helps in the West Michigan Hosta Society and enjoys Iris gardening.

6005 – Water in the Landscape – Bill Eagleson
The usage of water in the landscape can be a very engaging element. From simple bubbling rocks and small fountains to large-scale ponds and waterfalls.  We will explore the pros, cons, and maintenance of the joy of water in the landscape.

Bio: Graduated from Purdue Univ. in 1980 with a degree in Landscape Mgmt.  Have been working in the industry since. Opening Eagleson Landscape Co Inc in 2004 offering Design, Installation & Maintenance at the residential level. Rebranded as Eagleson Meadows in 2020 when we started the cut flower farm aspect of the biz.  We have an extensive garden in which we host various garden groups and events. The most recent being the Midwest Hosta Regional tailgate. The next event will be our annual plant sale, Sat. June 7, 2025 with multiple vendors as well as tours of the garden.

6006 – Herbs in Harmony: Pairings for Flavor & Wellness – Andrea Geske
Explore the vibrant world of culinary and medicinal herbs as you pair and plant your own herb collection. You’ll walk away with handy pairing ideas for the kitchen and tea‐time, plus a potted herb trio to take home.
Fee: $25 – Limit: 24

6007 – Stunning Spring Gardens Using Spring Bulbs – Brenda Miller
Horticulture industry professional Brenda Miller will share ideas & tips on how to maximize the potential of spring bulbs, both common and unusual. Discover how bulbs are ideal companions to hostas for an extended season of garden color. Learn about designing with, planting, and protecting your bulbs to help you achieve vibrant displays that you can count on for years!  This session has something to offer every hosta enthusiast, novice, or professional.

Bio: Brenda Miller has spent almost 25 years working in office positions in the green industry, mostly at wholesale nurseries and currently at a landscape company. Her plant knowledge has not come from the classroom, but from lifelong home gardening and from her career positions. A stint in Connecticut & working for a national bulb importer/seller provided a true bulb education and created a passion.  She grew up learning full-sun flower gardening but developed an appreciation for hostas and shade gardening when her own house had shady areas.  Her hosta collection is still small (under 20 varieties) and her daffodil collection is up to 25 varieties.  Other plant collections are peonies and daylilies. Brenda lives with her husband in central Indiana, in the country where it is still Zone 5.  She has many interests and hobbies, lamenting lack of time to pursue all!

6008 – Primula for Woodland, Rock and Container Gardens:Plants that Play Nice Together – VIRTUAL CLASS–Daniel Hendrickson 
Daniel has developed practical knowledge and experience by growing and cultivating his own plants for well over 25 years. His presentation includes an introduction to the genus Primula with photos of the primula species and hybrids that he grows. His discussion will highlight primulas that are appropriate for woodland, rock, and container gardens, as well as garden-worthy companion plants and cultivational requirements.

Bio: Daniel is a Director on the Board of the American Primrose Society (APS) and serves as the editor of PRIMROSES, the APS Quarterly Journal. He is currently a member of the Midwest APS Group, the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) and the Great Lakes Chapter of NARGS. His woodland, rock, and container gardens include numerous primula species and hybrids as well as dwarf conifers, shrubs, trillium, hepatica and other desirable woodlanders and rock garden plants. He grows many of his plants from seed.

6009 – The Glory of Autumn – Bob Iiames
Fall can be a glorious time in the garden as long as you’ve done a little planning. In this class we will learn about plant selections that will bring a lot of color and interest to your autumn landscape. So, what does your garden look like after your hostas start to fade? 

Bio: Bob is a former groundskeeper for the 175-acre Lange Estate in Ludlow Falls, OH. He is a member of and the current Director of the American Conifer Society, and a member of the Miami Valley Hosta Society.

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