Miami Valley Hosta Society
Stimulating the Knowledge and Love of Hostas
Tri-club Luncheon and Presentation
Saturday October 25, 2025
Time: 11:30-3:00pm
Can arrive anytime after 11:00 am
Speaker: Don Rawson
Topic: What's New in the World of Hostas
This presentation features many of the newest hosta introductions on the market including those from both the United States and Europe. See the latest and greatest new intros which will get you excited and make your wish list longer…much longer !
Members Only Event
***REGISTRATION REQUIRED (see below)***
Cost $25
Hosted by: Miami Valley Hosta Society
For MVHS, Hosta Society of Greater Cincinnati and Central Ohio Hosta Society Members only
Sinclair Community College Conference Center
444 W. Third Street, Room 116
Dayton, OH 45402
(Travel directions and registration form are below)
About Don Rawson
Don and his wife Pam live on four country acres near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Together, they grow over 400 hosta cultivars and an assortment of other companion plants. Don hybridizes on the side, growing a few thousand hosta seedings each year. His introductions include ‘Rhino Hide’ and ‘Gabriel’s Wing’, with more on the way.
Don has a liking for rocks…big rocks! One area of the landscape is covered extensively by large boulders- some weighing 30,000# and 9 ft. across. The rocks and boulders were all brought in and put in place by Don and his family since the house was built about 30 years ago. It is no surprise that visitors to the Rawson garden often find themselves perusing rock specimens rather than looking at flowers.
Don served as president of the West Michigan Hosta Society and was the co-chair of the 2021 AHS National Convention. In addition, he is co-chairman of the Nomenclature Committee and compiles the list of miniature hostas for the AHS website.
He is responsible for two publications- The Hosta Lists and the Hosta Hybridizer’s Manual. The Hosta Listsis a compilation of over 100 individual lists of hostas based upon various characteristics. This resource represents two decades of work on Don’s part and currently includes over 29,000 entries. The second booklet- the Hosta Hybridizer’s Manual- is a collection of articles from various authors and well-known hybridizers.
Biography Info for Don Rawson
Co-chair of the AHS Nomenclature Committee
President of the West Michigan Hosta Society
Co-chair of 2021 AHS National Convention, to be held in Kalamazoo, MI
Writer for the AHS eNewsletter
Contributor for the Michigan Hosta Society’s newsletter “Hosta Happenings”
Teacher at Hosta College
Compiler of the Hosta Lists, www.hostalists.org
Editor and contributor of the Hosta Hybridizer’s Manual
Hosta hybridizer and originator of H. ‘Rhino Hide’, ‘Gabriel’s Wing’, and others
Lives in Comstock Park, Michigan with his lovely wife, Pam
Enjoys gardening, hostas, hybridizing
Travel Directions:
From North: Take I-75 south to Exit 53 A (Third street), Turn Left onto Third Street. Go approximately 0.4 miles. Turn right on Perry Street. Go one block. Turn right onto Fourth Street. Turn right into Parking Garage C to underground parking. Use the South elevator/stairwell.
From South: Take I-75 north to Exit 51 (Edwin C. Moses), Turn Right onto Edwin C. Moses. Go approximately 2.2 miles. Turn Right onto Third street. Go approximately 0.5 miles. Turn right on Perry Street. Go one block. Turn right onto Fourth Street. Turn right into Parking Garage C to underground parking. Use the South elevator/stairwell.
From Columbus: Take I-70 to Exit 41 (OH-4 south). Turn left onto OH-4 South. Use left two lanes to merge onto 75 South. Turn Left onto Third Street. Go approximately 0.4 miles. Turn right on Perry Street. Go one block. Turn right onto Fourth Street. Turn right into Parking Garage C to underground parking. Use the South elevator/stairwell.
