Page 18 - MNLGA - FreeState Spring 2022
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GROWING FORWARD (Continued) Today, the HSA is made up of five regional areas throughout
the United States and has international members in Korea,
China, England, France and Belgium. The regions of HSA
are based on geographical areas with similar climate and
growing conditions. The HSA as a whole is led by MNLGA
member Sue Hunter, owner of Heartwood Nursery Inc.,
right in our neck of the woods. Heartwood was located
in Maryland over fifteen years ago, and now resides just
over the border in Felton, Pennsylvania. As a seasoned
propagator of hollies and a variety of native plants,
producing 15-20,000 liners annually, Sue originally got
involved with HSA due to her love of the Ilex opaca, which
she specializes in propagating. The HSA awarded Sue the
National William F. Kosar Award in 2012 for her propagation
expertise and service to the organization. Following that,
she became an HSA Trustee, and was subsequently elected
in 2015 as the first female president of the organization. Sue
is currently serving her fourth consecutive 2-year term and
contributes her volunteer service generously.
As you might guess from Sue’s enthusiasm, there is much
to gain through involvement. It is an opportunity to share
your knowledge as well as learn from others, generating
peer-to-peer support. The diverse group of members with
different areas of expertise and interest, ranging from novice
ABOVE gardeners through research scientists and professors,
Annual National Holly Sprig Contest, Richmond, VA. Judges: Dr. Jim help the organization to be successful. Activities include
Resch, Robert Schumate, and Jane Christy (photo credit: Sue Hunter, in-person meetings and events with tours. Members also
Holly Society of America) receive printed copies of the Holly Society Journal and the
BELOW Berry Bulletin newsletter. Additionally, the HSA website offers
Holly Society of America annual meeting Bartram’s Gardens, Philadelphia robust members-only content including research papers and
(photo credit: Holly Society of America)
(continued on page 20)
18 SPRING 2022 • Free State News
