Learn about sedums, conifers at this year's Hosta Haven Saturday, Aug. 29
Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery Inc., a local nursery specializing in conifers and unusual and rare trees, will host an expanded "Hosta Haven" fundraiser and Bolivian Arts & Crafts Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.
In addition to the fundraiser, the nursery will host a "Conifer Rendezvous," featuring a full roster of talks and demonstrations about conifers, hostas, sedums, and hypertufa troughs.
The owners of the nursery, Rich and Susan Eyre, as well as Rich's mother Margaret Eyre, have been longtime supporters of Heifer International, and have been holding "Hosta Happenings" at the nursery twice a year for almost two decades. Proceeds from the sale of hostas go directly to the charity. Heifer International is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger and poverty and caring for the earth. Heifer International provides livestock, trees, training, and other resources to help struggling families build sustainable futures. Visit www.heifer.org.
Several years ago, the Eyres expanded their charitable efforts to include Mano a Mano International Partners, a small yet powerful organization working to improve lives in rural Bolivia. Sales of colorful handicrafts made by Bolivians benefit the charity. This year's fundraising efforts will go toward building a school in rural Bolivia in honor of Margaret Eyre, who recently celebrated her 97th birthday. Visit www.razoo.com/story/Margaret-Eyre-School and www.manoamano.org.
As owners of a specialty nursery, Rich and Susan Eyre also have been involved with the American Conifer Society, an organization that promotes the use of conifers and educates the public about them. Conifers are cone-bearing trees like pines, spruces, yews, hemlocks and arborvitae (evergreen), as well as larches, bald cypresses and dawn redwoods (deciduous). Regional members hold Conifer Rendezvous to showcase their gardens and offer educational sessions. Visit www.conifersociety.org.
• At 10 a.m., Dave Graham, a registered landscape architect and International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist, will offer "Tips of the Trade: Pruning Conifers and Other Trees." He will discuss the basics of pruning trees, focusing primarily on conifers. There will be a question-and-answer session at end of talk.
• From 10 a.m. to noon, stop by for the Hosta Leaf Identification with Tom Micheletti, former president of the American Hosta Society and Midwest Regional Hosta Society, will be available to identify hostas for people who bring the leaves of unknown hostas. He is also founder and first president of the Northern Illinois Hosta Society.
• At 11 a.m., join the "Hypertufa Trough Workshop" with Master Gardener Cindy Hayden. She uses her artistic flare and passion for gardening to create hypertufa troughs that can be planted with alpines, mini conifers, hostas, sedums, and more. Create and take a trough home. Cost is $15.
• At 1 p.m., stop by for "Hostas of Distinction" with Mark Zilis of A to Z Perennials. He will highlight some fascinating hostas. He has been involved in plant propagation since 1977, founding and running Q&Z Nursery for 22 years. He has introduced hundreds of new hostas. He will have copies of his latest book for sale.
• At 2 p.m., Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennial Garden will present "30 Plus Sedums in 30 Plus Minutes." He will have copies of his book, "The Plant Lover's Guide to Sedums" for sale. He has been breeding plants for more than 20 years and has more than 50 unique plant introductions.
Refreshments will be served: coffee and bakery goods in the morning, and pizza and soda or water at noon. All sales are by cash or check only.
Rich's Foxwillow Pines Nursery Inc. is at 11618 McConnell Road, Woodstock. To learn more, contact Susan Eyre at (815) 338-7442 or office1@richsfoxwillowpines.com.
Visit www.richsfoxwillowpines.com or www.facebook.com/RichsFoxwillowPinesNursery.