The 20 year birthday of The Netherlands Hosta Club was celebrated at the Arboretum Trompenburg in Rotterdam. The program included an opening, unnveiling the new hosta collection "Arie van Vliet Collection", Marco Fransen's presentaion about his favourite Hosta's, the Leaf Show, best new Hosta 2009 and an auction.

Here we see the judges judging the Hosta leaves.

They are all expert Hosta growers.

There were 5 catagories and best in show.

We, the participants, could bring a maximal of 25 leaves. These will stay on display during the weekend. The Arboretum has a Hosta Day planned for Sunday, including guided walks along the "Hosta walk".

The auction was fun! All Hosta's were donated. Prices started at 5 euros but soon were climbing higher. All proceeds go back into the Hosta Club. You could even bid on seedlings that are brand new Hosta's!! These haven't been grown, named and produced for the market before! The grower/developer of the best new Hosta 2009 donated a root/shoot from the one plant and that was auctioned off for 210 euro's!

The Hosta Day was enjoyable. We had sunny warm weather, time enough in the program to walk around the park, eat lunch, check out the Hosta growers "for sale" stalls and chat with other Hosta Club members. Where will it be next year?