ASHLAND — Art of Gardening member Helen Harris, 96, passed away Nov. 17, it was announced at a meeting Feb. 7 at Peace Lutheran Church.
A plaque or memorial marker with her name will eventually be added to the memorial stone exhibition located by the Weeping Cherry at the Historical Society, according to Kathy Bargar, president, along with the names of four other members who have passed away.
The Ashland County Historical Society sent a “thank you” for the club’s $100 contribution. The society indicated that it is looking forward to seeing Art of Gardening members at events.
Bargar reminded members that 32 oz. cans are needed for a Brethren Care project headed by Ruth Ann Linder.
The club assists Brethren Care residents with a community project every October. Seeds of Friendship are due next month.
The seeds go to Rwanda. Bush green beans, green cabbage, carrots, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, cosmos and zinnias grow the best there.
Members should give seeds to Rosemary Caster, treasurer, at the March 6 meeting.
Kim Tanner, member, presented a program on Hostas asking, “How many have Hostas in your garden right now?” She followed with true or false questions which she revealed at the end of the presentation.
A couple of true facts were that they were once called Funkia and they do grow in Minnesota.
She spoke on Hosta History and Techniques for Planting. From Asia, the Japanese called them Giboshi.
The genus was renamed Hosta in 1812 after Nicholas Thomas Host, Croatian botanist. Genus includes 40 species which do best in full to part-shade.
Tanner, also a Master Gardener, touched on other Hosta topics such as How to Plant, Companion Plants, A Size and Shape for All, Colors, Leaf Shape and Texture, Maintaining, Common Varieties and Enemies.
Newer Hostas are mostly white. Other colors are lime green, true green, blue, blue-green and blue-blackish. Flowers can be pink, lavender, light blue or white. Long-lived, they require little attention.