Confessions of Larry Tucker

Rated G (Great) for All Ages

Larry Tucker’s Made in the Shade: Confessions of a Hostaholic has been published and is being sold for $10 to members at Mid-South Hosta Society activities. An autographed copy is waiting for you!

     The book is a collection of Larry’s popular newsletter columns and gardening tips from the past 10 years. But it holds more than his adventures and advice. It also offers the opportunity for you to contribute to the endowment fund for the Hosta Trail, the club’s public project at Memphis Botanic Garden. All the revenue from book sales will help maintain and preserve the American Hosta Society National Display Garden.

     Larry was the Mid-South’s founding president and newsletter editor for 10 years. His column was the centerpiece of the Hosta Hotline for 80 editions. Chris Gang, gardening columnist for The Commercial Appeal, who worked with Larry at the Memphis newspaper and has followed the club every step of its way, says: “Larry writes about hostas the way he gardens – with love and knowledge.”

     With MSHS involvement in a newsletter exchange program, Larry’s articles have been shared with hosta societies nationwide. AHS officers and friends are now helping promote his book. Here are a few comments from their reviews:

     “The precious stones of gardening knowledge tumble from every page of this book. The reader will learn much and laugh and laugh.” –Mike Shadrack, Hamburg, New York, AHS vice president/publications and co-author of The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas

     “Made in the Shade is the final proof that hostas are no longer just ‘Northern’ plants. –W. George Schmid, Tucker, Georgia, AHS historian and author of The Genus Hosta and An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials

     “First-hand knowledge is the best teacher and Larry is a graduate of the Gardening School of Hard Knocks.” –Rob Mortko, Olathe, Kansas, AHS newsletter coordinator and Made in the Shade Gardens nurseryman

     “While sometimes written tongue-in-cheek, it runs the gamut from plants to pests.” –Tom Micheletti, Deer Park, Illinois, AHS president

     “Highly recommended. I couldn’t put it down.” –Warren Pollock, Wilmington, Delaware, AHS pioneer, former editor and longtime columnist for The Hosta Journal

     “Garden books like this don’t often come our way.” –Bob Olson, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, AHS past president and editor of the The Hosta Journal

     Mike Chambers, AHS vice president/member services, former Dixie director and MSHS past president, also had his say. In writing the book’s introduction, Larry’s co-conspirator in a decade of hosta havoc reminisces about favorite columns. “Join me in flipping back through a decade of hosta lore and lessons . . . and expect to be tickled by his wit.”

     Larry’s book, published with the financial support of MSHS, also is being made available by mail for $15 (postage included). Bulk orders of 10 or more are $12 per book. Checks should be made payable to the Mid-South Hosta Society (with notation Made in the Shade) and sent to Larry Tucker, 2927 Geoffrey Drive, Southaven, MS 38672.