The Wisconsin Hosta Society promotes the knowledge of and interest in the genus Hosta, encourages its cultivation and usefulness in the landscape, and supports gardening friendships.

Please browse our Membership Information, as well as the Events Schedule, and feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments.

The Wisconsin Hosta Society welcomes all hosta enthusiasts, regardless of experience, to join and take advantage of our educational programs, member events, and more. We guarantee you will not meet a friendlier group of people! 

To become a member, click on this link WHS-Membership-Application; print and follow the instructions on the form to return it to the Wisconsin Hosta Society.

Membership dues are only $10 for the calendar year, January 1st through December 31st.  The membership fee assists in making donations to area botanical gardens, providing for speakers and other program costs, and maintaining the website.

It is the goal of the society to provide opportunities for fun, friendship, and learning through access to garden tours and other events.   Membership includes an open invitation to our spring and fall meetings, garden tours, educational programs, and bus trips.  Also included are emailed copies of the society’s newsletter, The Royal Standard.

For additional information, send inquiries to [email protected]

The Wisconsin Hosta Society holds educational meetings for our members at Olbrich Gardens in Madison.  These meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month in March, April, September, and October.  Other annual events include hosting a booth at Garden Expo in February, a Leaf Show & Ice Cream Social, a Family Picnic & Auction, and a Harvest Party in November.  In addition, we offer local garden tours and host bus trips which include garden tours and opportunities to purchase plants and other garden products. Below is a complete listing of this year’s events; more detailed information will be emailed to the membership closer to each event.

2024 Schedule of Events

All meetings, with social time from 6:00 to 6:30 pm, are held at Olbrich Botanical Gardens,  

330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI

1. March meeting ~ Wednesday, March 6 ~ 6:00 to 8:00pm

• Speaker: Josh Feyan
• Topic: How to Take Pictures with Your Phone. Josh will give a PowerPoint presentation on how to use your cell phone to take great pictures of your garden. He will incorporate recent photos of his trip to Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens in Mexico! This is an interactive presentation, so be sure to bring your phone! 

2.  April meeting ~ Wednesday, April 3 ~ 6:00 to 8:00pm

• Speaker: Andrea and Justin Geske of Uniquely Hostas
• Topic:  Our Hosta Story.  Andrea and Justin own and operate Uniquely Hostas in Elroy, WI and Geske’s Gardens in Milton, WI. The Geskes grow and sell a variety of hostas at their many open houses at both locations. Justin will also discuss his hosta hybridization program and show pictures of personal hosta introductions he has been involved with.

3.  Annual Leaf Show Competition & Ice Cream Social

• Sunday, June 23, 2024 ~ 1:30 to 4:00 PM
• Hosted by: Mary Lou & Dan Clayton, Brooklyn, WI 

4.  Summer Bus Trip – Saturday, July 27, 2024 

• Bus trip to ‘In the Country Garden and Gifts,’ Independence, Iowa for their annual  ‘Hosta & Dessert Social.’  This is a public event that includes tours of the grounds and opportunities to buy hostas and garden art. You will also have a chance to meet world-famous hosta expert and hybridizer, Bob Solberg!

 5.  Annual Family Picnic & Auction

• Sunday, August 4 ~ 12:30 to 3:30 PM
• Hosted by:  Phil Timm, WHS President, Rockford, IL
• Come and enjoy good food, great company and the best hosta auction around!

6.  September meeting ~ Wednesday, September 4 ~ 6:00 to 8:30 PM

• Speaker:  Al Ritchey of Al’s Auto Body and Arboretum 
• Topic: Al will discuss how his interest in hostas began, when he started growing hostas on his property and how his business has changed and grown over the years.
• Al will also bring hostas for members to purchase before and after his presentation.  

7.  October meeting ~ Wednesday, October 2 ~ 6:00 to 8:30 PM

• Business meeting: Election of WHS Treasurer and Secretary
• Speaker:  Kevin Vugrinovich of Sharp On Sight, Sun Prairie, WI.
• Topic: Garden Tool Sharpening Event. Kevin will give a brief talk on how to clean and maintain garden tools. He will then sharpen garden tools brought by members.

8. “Hostaween” Costume Party and Bonfire ~ October 19, 2024. Location TBD. 

9. Harvest Party, Sunday, November 10, 2024 ~ 1:00 to 4:00 PM

• Kickback Cafe, Oregon, WI