Though it is hard to believe, it has been eight years since we held our last picnic at John O’Brien’s. This time around we are especially delighted to share the day with our friends in the New England Hosta Society. So come join the fun!        Schedule of Events for the day    (Please Click the link to the left to open and print a copy)

For those of you who are not familiar with this wonderful garden oasis, O’Brien Nurserymen is a specialty nursery in Granby, Connecticut. Though he specializes in hostas, John has an extensive display garden featuring not only 1,600 hosta varieties, but a host of other shady characters including tricyrtis, primulas, asarums, epimediums, woodland peonies and arisaemas. The gardens also include a wide variety of unusual dwarf conifers, many daphnes, and over 100 different Japanese Maples. Many of the plantings you will see in his display garden are offered for sale in the nursery.

Tour the gardens on your own beginning at 10:30 a.m., but John says that everyone is welcome to arrive any time after 9:30 a.m. Food will be available after 12:30. Please bring a chair, and A DESSERT, A SALAD, OR A SIDE DISH. The meats and beverages will be provided.)

As usual, members are invited to sell plants in tailgate fashion, with 10% of their proceeds being shared between Tri-State and the New England Hosta Society. In addition, there will be a “Chinese Auction” of special plants donated by John and others. Tickets for this Chinese Auction will be sold to picnic attendees all during the morning. (Note to vendors: Please donate a plant to this Chinese Auction and contact John O’Brien at 860-653-0163 to let him know that you will be participating.) After lunch there will be a High Stakes Hosta Auction of special plants donated by local hybridizers and growers. PLEASE NOTE THAT MEMBERS ARE NOT REQUESTED TO BRING PLANTS FOR EITHER THE HIGH STAKES HOSTA AUCTION OR THE CHINESE AUCTION.

Depending upon whether you are coming from NJ, NY, or other points in CT, take 84 East or 95 North to Interstate 91 North or South. Take Exit #40, Route 20 West toward Granby. After 3 miles on “Airport Connector” look for the Exit for Route 20 “Granby/East Granby”. After 3 miles, Route 20 narrows from 4 lanes to 2 lanes in East Granby. In 4 more miles, Route 20 reaches the junction with Routes 10/202 in Granby Center. Continue to go straight. In 300 yards, bear right at first light onto Route 189 North. In 1 ½ miles you will see a dairy farm on the right. The next right is Wells Road. #40 Wells Road will be ½ mile on the right.

LODGING: If you are considering staying in the area overnight John suggests the following:
Dutch Iris Inn (B&B) 239 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT, 860-844-0262 — website: Dutchirisinn.com
Truman Gillet House (B&B) 151 N. Granby Road, Granby, CT, 860-844-1212 — website: Trumangillethousebb.com
Fairfield Inn (Hartford Airport) 2 Loten Drive, Windsor Locks, CT 860-627-9333