Season 2 comes full circle as Betsy and Mandy welcome back legendary Hosta hybridizer Bob Solberg of Green Hill Hostas to reflect on the biggest moments of the 2026 Hosta season and look ahead to what Hosta enthusiasts can expect in 2027 and beyond.

Together, we revisit the people, events, and conversations that helped shape this growing season, including the American Hosta Society Convention in Dublin, Ohio, Hosta College in Piqua, Ohio, and the Hosta Symposium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bob shares his perspective on the state of the Hosta community, emerging trends in hosta growing and hybridizing, and why local Hosta societies remain the heart of the hobby. Bob Solberg has introduced roughly 100 Hosta cultivars over his career and remains one of the most influential voices in the Hosta world.

We also reflect on some of our favorite conversations from Season 2, including episodes featuring Christina Brinkmann, Warren Pollock, Clarence Hanna, Doug Beilstein, Jonathan Hogarth, Rob Mortko, and many more. From Hosta breeding and tissue culture to garden design, education, and conservation, we celebrate the experts who shared their knowledge and passion with our listeners this season.

Topics include:

• The biggest Hosta stories and events of 2026
• Highlights from Hosta College in Piqua, Ohio
• The Hosta Symposium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• The American Hosta Society Convention experience
• Favorite guests and moments from Season 2
• The future of Hosta hybridizing and collecting
• What Hosta lovers can look forward to in 2027 and 2028
• Why joining a local Hosta society matters

As we close out another incredible season, we want to thank our sponsors, guests, and listeners for helping make Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast such a rewarding journey. Whether you're a longtime collector, hybridizer, society member, or someone who just planted your very first Hosta, we're grateful you're part of this community.

Find Bob and Green Hill Hostas at hostaguru.com.

Thank you for listening to Season 2 of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast. Be sure to follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and send your questions, comments, or guest suggestions to hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com.

Most importantly, consider joining your local hosta society and becoming involved in the hosta community. The friendships, knowledge, and experiences you'll gain are what make this hobby so special.

Until next season...

Hosta La Vista, Baby!

The #HostaRoadTrippers are back!

In this penultimate episode of Season 2, we welcome Susan Ragsdale and Julie Lewter, the dynamic duo behind the popular Midwest Hosta Visit Facebook community, for an unforgettable recap of their epic Midwest Hosta adventure.

From Ohio to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and beyond, Susan and Julie hit the road to visit some of the most beloved destinations in the Hosta world, including The Secret Garden of Chagrin Falls, Fox Farms with Bob Fox, Hollywood Bob's Hostas, Audrey Temner's garden, Land of the Giants, Uniquely Hostas, The Hostas-Store with Mike Dammen, In the Country Garden and Gifts, and Hillcrest Hostas.

Along the way, they discovered incredible Hosta collections, stunning shade gardens, rare and unusual plants, and some of the most knowledgeable growers in the industry. But as they quickly learned, the real treasures weren't just the plants—they were the people.

Susan and Julie share memorable stories from the road, behind-the-scenes moments from their travels, favorite gardens and Hostas, and the friendships that make the Hosta community unlike any other gardening community in the world.

If you've ever dreamed of taking a Hosta road trip, visiting premier Hosta nurseries, meeting top Hosta growers, or connecting with fellow Hosta enthusiasts, this episode is packed with inspiration.

As the saying goes: "You come for the plants, but stay for the people."

Learn more about the incredible destinations visited on their journey
Hear what makes the Hosta community so welcoming and special
Discover must-visit Hosta gardens and nurseries across the Midwest
Get inspired to plan your own Hosta road trip adventure

Connect with Susan and Julie through the Midwest Hosta Visit Facebook community and follow along as the #HostaRoadTrippers continue their adventures.

If you're enjoying The Friendship Plant Podcast, be sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on social media:
Facebook: Hosta la Vista Podcast
Instagram: @hostalavistapodcast

Questions, comments, or guest suggestions?
hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com

Hosta la Vista, Baby!

Big changes are coming for Uniquely Hostas! In this episode of Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, we sit down with Justin and Andrea Geske to discuss an exciting new chapter for their business as they prepare for a major move this September.

Justin shares the story of how he and Andrea came to own Uniquely Hostas and reflects on the incredible mentorship and friendship he shared with legendary Hosta hybridizer Jeff Miller of Land of the Giants. Their relationship began when Justin was still in high school and was given the opportunity to hybridize under Jeff's guidance—a partnership that helped shape his passion for Hosta breeding and growing.

We also dive into the Geskes' impressive hosta seedling program, discuss which Hostas are currently in tissue culture, and talk about what it takes to bring exciting new Hosta introductions to gardeners and collectors.

Andrea joins the conversation to share the success of her popular WhatNot sales, and the couple recounts the devastating June storm that toppled a 100-year-old oak tree on their property. Rather than viewing it as a loss, they found a creative and inspiring way to repurpose the wreckage.

Whether you're interested in Hosta hybridizing, tissue culture, growing rare Hostas, the history of Land of the Giants, or simply want to hear what's next for one of the hobby's most exciting nurseries, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and surprises.

Topics Covered:

• Uniquely Hostas' upcoming move and future plans
• Hosta hybridizing and seedling development
• Hostas currently in tissue culture
• Jeff Miller's mentorship and Land of the Giants history
• Andrea Geske's WhatNot Hosta sales
• Storm damage and creative garden solutions
• The future of Uniquely Hostas

Don't miss this candid conversation with two passionate Hosta growers whose next adventure is just beginning.

To learn more about Uniquely Hostas, shop their hostas, and follow along as they begin this exciting new chapter, visit their website and follow them on social media. https://www.uniquelyhostas.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode of Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast.

You can connect with us online:

• Facebook: Hosta la Vista Podcast
• Instagram: @hostalavistapodcast
• YouTube: Hosta la Vista Podcast
• Email: hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com

Have a question, topic suggestion, or guest recommendation? We'd love to hear from you!

Hosta la Vista, Baby!