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The slate of speakers and topics at the Winter Scientific Meeting in January was exceptional and definitely made the long drive worthwhile. There was also the bonus of catching up with hosta friends from around the region over Chinese cuisine at Heng Weng Restaurant on Friday night and continuing those unfinished conversations in the Hostatality Suite upon return to the hotel. No one's enthusiasm was dampened by the bitter cold, but the announcement from Tom Micheletti that it was the last time the Northern Illinois Hosta Society would host this event (largely organized by Tom) certainly sent a chill through the crowd. Many thanks to Tom and the NIHS for organizing the WSM - it has consistently been a high quality, well-organized event. Hopefully another group will step up to fill the void in the future.

If it should be recorded in hosta-world history as the last WSM, it should also be recorded as one of the best. Glenn Herold, Illinois Central College, kicked off the day with a unique look at tree bark ("You're Barking up the Right Tree"). Some interesting bark facts: it's indigestible (mice and rabbits are probably sharpening their teeth rather than eating it); bark provides trees with defense mechanisms against insects and critters, resistance to water loss, provides thermal insulation (trees in colder areas have thicker bark) and it discourages growth of fungi and bacteria. Professor Herold also showed us his favorite trees that exhibit unique or especially interesting bark. Carpinus caroliniana (Blue Beech), is a native under-story tree that's high on his list and hardy to Zone 4.

Doug Beilstein ("Hybridizing - The Mind of a Hybridizer") gave insights into his hybridizing program and shared the results of research he conducted with Miracle Gro for Tomatoes (a weak dilution of 1 tsp to 5 gallons water) to stimulate better eye count and healthier roots in his seedlings. The results were truly amazing and a resounding second endorsement for better results from Hostas using Miracle Gro for Tomatoes (Robert Solberg also praised this product during his presentation in October). If you decide you want to try seeds, Doug recommends picking pods 30-60 days after the blossoms are done - the longer the pod ripens on the stalk the better but be sure to pick them before the pods split open and seeds disperse. Doug has also had optimum seedling growth by transplanting at the 2-4 leaf stage into inverted Styrofoam cups that have the bottom cut off.

An introduction to water gardening was up next. Bill Segatto of Aquascapes discussed the function of various water plants in maintaining a healthy pond and also showed us unique ways to incorporate water features in the landscape. If you've wondered about the value of home water features, Mr. Segatto reported that a properly installed pond can add 7-15% to the value of your home. Our group surprised him when nearly half of the audience indicated they already incorporated water features in their landscapes. Some tips on controlling "green water" problems include a proper ratio of plants to water surface, good surface circulation and adding beneficial bacteria. If you have fish in your water feature, Bill pointed out that you should stop feeding them when water temperature drops to 60 degrees to keep them healthy during hibernation.

After lunch we were entertained by Dave Wanninger's take on "Low Maintenance Perennials". Dave graciously filled in for Roy Klehm of Song Sparrow Farm who was attending a niece's wedding. Mr. Wanninger pointed out that all perennials need maintenance, but some are less needy! With praise from Dave and a few members of the audience, I made a note to plant some Epimedium sulphureum, lots more Helleborus orientalis, and to seek out some of the new Heuchera ('Molly Bush' is a favorite of Dave's and he also impressed with the floriferous H. 'Vesuvius', but didn't offer zone hardiness information on them). For sunny areas Peony 'Cora Stubbs' is a must find and so is a new form of Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolis heterolepsis 'Tara'.

While Chris Wilhoite of Soules Garden was rumored to be nervous about speaking to a group of peers, he delivered a flawless and informative presentation on Arisaema (Jack-in-the-pulpit) and its cousins. Chris was brimming with tidbits about this interesting genus of plants. For instance, did you know Arisaemas can change their sex and even revert from year to year? Or that young plants are usually males and that the tubers are so favored by wild turkeys they'll dig them up? Me neither! While many of the more exotic Arisaemas aren't hardy here, Chris recommends trying them - just dig up the tubers and store them for the winter in peat moss on their sides so moisture can't collect in the depression on the top of the tuber. If you want to over-winter some of the marginally hardy forms in the garden, invert a large plate or plastic lid over the spot where the tuber is to prevent moisture from pooling on top of it - moisture that collects in the depression causes tubers to rot. Remember to mulch them well. While some of these interesting plants require sharp drainage others prefer boggy conditions, so be sure to give them the conditions they need for success.

A report on the final presentation of the WSM (Mark Zilis, "Hostas of Distinction/Hybridizers of Distinction", is forthcoming in the next SOGHS newsletter, so be sure to check it out.

For nearly two decades Tom Micheletti and the NIHS have done an outstanding job of bringing hostaphiles out of hibernation to share their seeds of wisdom as well as their hosta seeds (available through silent auction) for the benefit of so many - I hope they have been equally enriched and that the excitement the WSM generated can continue to grow!

Cindy