Nation’s Largest Event of Its Kind Coming to Minnesota, June 10-13, 2020 — Hundreds of garden enthusiasts from around the country and the world are expected to attend the annual American Hosta Society (AHS) National Convention, being held at the Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park, MN. Founded in 1968, the AHS is a non-profit organization that has grown from a handful of members in its early days to about 3,000 active members today. As the world’s leading association promoting the hosta plant, their purpose is to foster the development of the genus and its public interest and, of course, share with others the enjoyment that hostas and gardening in general offer.
In 2018 the AHS celebrated its 50th anniversary at the annual convention held in Philadelphia, PA. In 2020 the Minnesota Hosta Society is hosting the annual convention for the third time. Convention organizer Amy Peterson says “The MHS is proud to once again host the convention. Our membership is excited to join in fellowship with other hosta gardening enthusiast, often termed “hostaholics”. Our theme “Hosta Vision 2020” reflects the ever expanding use of the genius Hosta in the garden as one of the top perennials of choice due to their versatility in use and form in the landscape. Plus they are very hardy in Minnesota’s Zone 4 climate! A major part of the convention is participating in area garden tours by motor coach bus or a self-driving tour over the span of two days, with many gardens displaying over 500 hosta varieties. The accredited Hosta Leaf Show creates an opportunity for membership and the general public to see the plethora of variety in form and color the genius Hosta provides as a landscape plant. Also as part of the 2020 convention a philanthropic element is included and in alignment with our theme, attendees and community attendees are requested to bring used eyeglasses for donation to LIONS INTERNATIONAL.”