PUBLIC HOURS

YES, we welcome the public and Hosta Enthusiasts to the following activities and times (no fee, just promise to support our wonderful vendors!):
Thursday, June 20th: shop in Vending Room 9-11 am, view the Hosta Show and the New England Seedling & Sport Competition 12-1 pm
Friday, June 21st: shop in the Vending Room, view the Hosta Show and view the New England Seedling & Sport Competition from 2-5 pm
Saturday, June 22nd: shop the Vending Room from 2:30-4:30 pm
(Please note – the schedule may fluctuate by a few minutes due to the flow of convention activities)

It’s SHOWTIME!

Don’t forget to bring some leaves to enter in the HOSTA SHOW!

A few tips for preparing your leaves for travel… select ahead of time by looking for mature leaves from well grown clumps and are free from damage and blemishes. Refer to the AHS Classification list to check that the leaf meets the registered size (undersized leaves are subject to point deductions). Look for leaves that best reflect the characteristics of the cultivar (registration data can also be found at the Hosta Registrar website HERE)

On the day prior to travel, cut the petiole (stem) as close to the ground as possible with a clean tool. Immediately put cut end in water while collecting additional leaves and keep out of direct sunlight. Once all leaves are collected, fully submerge all leaves in a bathtub filled with cool room temperature water and soak overnight.

On the day of travel, pancake leaves together and keep cut ends in a bucket of water. Keeping them snugged together will help prevent damage during transport. Large deli containers work well for smaller leaves and 5 gallon buckets are great for larger leaves. Try to remember to keep leaves out of heat (hot car) or direct sunlight during travels.

For tips on staging your exhibits at the Convention, be sure to attend the Leaf Prep Workshop with past Sweepstakes Award winners, Dick and Jeanne Barbee! We are here to help you and wishing you luck getting to the Head Table!

New England Seedling & Sport Competition

Modeled after the Attendee Voting part of Region One’s much loved First Look, this competition will select the Best Seedling in each of six Color Classes as well as the Best Sport in each of six Color Classes. The Best Overall Seedling and Best Overall Sport will be receive a Special Award!

Bring your special, unique hosta seedling or sport and enter! Rules & Regulations can be found HERE

First BUS is FULL!

We are making a WAITING LIST and if we can fill a second bus, we will add it! Send in your Registration Form TODAY!

Optional Tour – Boston Day, Wednesday June 19, 2024

Whether you join the Duck Boat Tour or the Whale Watch Experience you will have a great time!

The Boston Duck Boat Tour is an 80 minute land and water adventure with breath taking views.  You will cruise by unique neighborhoods and historical landmarks that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts. This tour is fun and educational for everyone!

The New England Aquarium Whale Watch is about 4 hours long and sails to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding grounds for whales, dolphins, sea birds and more.  You may see many species of whale including humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, and the endangered North American right whale.  Naturalists aboard will share information and answer questions.

Upon your return from the Duck Boat or the Whale Watch, you will have time to visit  Faneuil Hall which is a short walk from your drop-off, pick-up location at the Boston Aquarium.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace https://faneuilhallmarketplace.com is open from 10 am – 9 pm and features over 25 eateries, street performers, local history and all kinds of shopping.

Please return from your self-guided explorations to the Drop Off/Pick Up location for a 2:30 departure.

Your next stop is the Sam Adams Brewery!  Enjoy a tour of this well renowned brewery and a sample of 3 of their beers.

The coach returns to the hotel at 4:30 pm.

Hear Ye! Here Ye!

Welcome to the official AHS Convention website!

The 2025 Convention volunteers have been hard at work making plans for Hosta Double Feature in Illinois! We have some spectacular gardens that will be on tour, vendors who will provide some hard to resist plants and garden related items as well as plenty of fun activities to participate in!

In addition to hosting the accredited Hosta Show, we will be hosting the Seedling & Sport Competition! Bring your best, unique hosta seedling or sport to compete for the top award as decided by the Convention attendees. Look here for more information about how to enter and the rules.

Please check back here often to see What is NEW as plans continue to come together so we can help you have the best time in Illinois in 2025!