The Middle Tennessee Hosta Society (“MTHS”) was established in 1998 by a group of individuals interested in growing hostas and other shade tolerant plants. Membership includes growers from the Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro and Dickson areas who have a wide interest in gardening.

Many MTHS members attend the annual meetings of the American Hosta Society (“AHS”) and Dixie Regional Hosta Society (“DRHS”) - events featuring nationally, and, internationally known speakers, hosta shows, plant sales, and garden tours. MTHS hosted the DRHS in 2002 and again in 2008.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - June 13-16, 2012 MTHS will host the American Hosta Society Convention   at the Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel. 

Membership in AHS is encouraged and MTHS members can earn a paid 2010 AHS membership through attendance at meetings and participation in MTHS events. The Hosta Journal , published three times each year by AHS is abundant with hosta information and photographs of national tour gardens and the latest hosta hybrids.

Hosta Shows are judged by individuals who have taken Judges’ Clinics and participated in the judging and study of the genus hosta. Judges are classified according to their years of experience. For those interested in learning more about the judging process, MTHS will host a Judges Clinic I workshop May 23rd, 2009 at the artehotel in Brentwood, TN. (see program schedule for more information).

Visitors are welcome to attend MTHS meetings. Whether one is new to gardening or has a collection of 700 hostas, programs and activities are chosen that will provide a learning experience for all.- the most important experience being interactions with other gardeners and HAVING FUN!

In addition to local and regional speakers, programs have been presented by: Mike Shadrack and Diana Grenfeld (England), authors of   The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas and The Pocket Guide to Hostas; George Schmid, author of The Genus Hosta and An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials; Kevin Walek and Bob Olson, each former AHS presidents and editors of The Hosta Journal;  Bob Solberg, owner of Green Hills Farm in Chapel Hill, NC, former editor of The Hosta Journal and hybridizer of hostas for southeastern gardens; and, Mark Zills, owner of Q&Z Nursery and author of The Hosta Handbook.

On-going projects of MTHS include: staging a booth at the Nashville Lawn & Garden Show, at which time bare root hostas are sold; providing information at the Williamson County Master Gardeners’ Bloom’n Expo; and, an Annual Hosta Sale, (featuring over 200 varieties) held the Saturday before Mother’s Day in the parking lot of the Maryland Farms YMCA in Brentwood, TN.

The Genus Hosta and the term “The Friendship Plant” have become synonymous. We look forward to seeing you at one of MTHS’ events.