Bulletin Board

Hosta garden tours
The Harshbarger Hosta Society is hosting garden tours on June 21. Below you'll find more info and directions. We hope to see you there.  The tours are free and open to the public, but lunch at the last garden will cost you $8 if you wish to purchase it....please read info below.

Mary Lowder
Harshbarger Hosta Society

Harshbarger Garden Tours
June 21, 2008 9:00 a.m.

This year’s tour begins at the home of Dick and Kay Harrison, long-time hosta fanciers. When they retired to CR about seven years ago, many mature hostas moved with them. These plants, plus the remarkable landscaping of their property, will be a welcome first stop for hosta lovers.

We then travel to the Mt. Vernon Prairie field of Paul Morf. This prairie is just like ones that our ancestors might have enjoyed as they traveled through the Midwest. A guided tour will be provided…wear comfy shoes for this.

As we leave the prairie, we will reenter the land of hostas, this time in Lisbon. Tim and Lois Cahill, new members of the Harshbarger Hosta Society, will share their beautiful garden with over 400 different kinds of hostas. There should be lots to look at and enjoy!

Retail therapy is next on the agenda at Blooming Acres Nursery in Mt. Vernon. They may have just that certain flower or hosta you need.

Our final stop will be at the Century farm of Jerry and Wava Schmidt. The farm was purchased in 1874 and the current buildings were built in 1918. Jerry and Wava moved here in 1993 to renovate and “retire.” They have been busy ever since! They have a little bit of everything in their gardens.

It is here that we will have lunch, furnished by the club. We will have pulled pork sandwiches, potatoes, beans and dessert… please bring your own beverage. We will eat around the pond or in the “Pond House.” If you bring a friend who is not a member of HHS, his or her meal will be $8.00. Since we are having the meal furnished, we will need a head count by Monday, June 16th. Please call: Judi Pohorsky, 319-396-6116.

After the meal, we will have a hosta exchange. All we ask is that you bring a hosta that you would enjoy receiving… then the fun begins!

Remember to:
---- bring your own beverage
---- invite a friend
---- bring a hosta of choice
---- contact Judi Pohorsky to make your reservations by June 16th at (319)-396-6116

Driving Directions

Dick & Kay Harrison
4215 Red Oak Dr. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
9:00 a.m.

From I-380, take Diagonal Drive exit to the east. Diagonal changes to 8th Ave SE when you cross the river, passes Mercy Hospital, then changes again to Mt. Vernon Road. Follow Mt. Vernon Rd. to 42nd Street SE and turn right. Drive a few blocks and turn left on Red Oak Drive SE. Dick’s home is on the right.

Morf’s Prairie Garden
1098 E Bertram Rd
Mt. Vernon, IA

Go back to Mt. Vernon Road and turn right. You will go 9 miles, crossing Hwy 151, and turn right at Irish Lane. Go 1.2 miles, turn right at E. Bertram and go another 1.0 miles. The Prairie will be on the left.

Tim and Lois Cahill
354 Adams Ct.
Lisbon, IA

Go back to Irish Lane and turn right to Hwy 30. You will turn left (east) and go 1 ¼ miles past Lisbon, then turn right on Adams Avenue. Travel 1 ½ miles and turn left on Adams Court.

Blooming Acres
1170 1st Ave N (Hwy 1)
Mt. Vernon, IA

Return to Highway 30 and turn west to Mt. Vernon. Turn north on Hwy 1. The Nursery is 1.2 miles on the right, just over the railroad tracks.

Pine Grove Farm & Gardens
Jerry & Wava Schmidt
24875 30th Street
Lisbon, IA

Continue North on Highway 1 for 3.1 miles. You will turn right on Ellison Road and the farm is 0.7 miles on the right. It is a white farm house with a pond behind the machine shed. Just pull in the driveway.