Anton Klemens
Arbor wear
Arbutus Nursery
Atlanta Botantical Garden
Barry Laws
Bizon Nursery
Blue Mountain Nursery
Bountiful Farms
Buchholz
Conifer Kingdom
Countryside Nursery
Crowsfoot
Dave Helms
Ernst Nursery
Eshraghi Nursery
Fresh Start / Nathan Miller
GardenScape Nursery
Gary Gee
Gresham Japanese Garden
Iseli Nursery
Jacob Hendrickson
KCK Farms
KG Farms
Maple Farm
Martha & Sid Smith
Mary Warner
McKinnon Nursery
Palmer Creek
Randy Dykstra Heartland Garden
Ryan Gall
Spada Farms
Vinny Grasso
Western Evergreen

and our sponsors:

Bartlett Tree Experts

Conifer Kingdom

Iseli Nursery

Left Coast Logistics,LLC

Thank you!

2025 National Meeting Sponsors:

2025 National Meeting Auction Donors:

• Arbor Jet
  
• Barry Laws Quilted Gardens Nursery
  
• Blue Mountain Nursery
  
• Blue Spruce Toolworks
  
• Byron Baxter
  
• Cold Water Pond Nursery
  
• Conifer Garden Nursery
  
• Conifer Kingdom
  
• Dannaher Nursery
  
• David Merrell
  
• David Speth
  
• Deborah Hardwick
  
• Deckers Nursery
  
• Dendrological Sales
  
• Dennis Hermsen
  
• Dirt Dawg Nursery
  
• Donna Gahwiler
  
• Eric Hofley
  
• Firefly Books
  
• Gall Brothers Nursery and Lawn Service
  
• Gee Farms Nursery and Garden Center
  
• George Cies
  
• Hidden Lake Gardens
  
• Holden Arboretum
  
• Hornbaker Gardens
  
• In The Country Garden and Gifts
  
• Iseli Nursery
  
• Jeff and Lora Rathje
  
• Jeff Harvey
  
• John Andell
  
• John Chapin
  
• Kathy Thomas
  
• Lovett Pinetum
  
• Martha Smith
  
• Paradise Garden
  
• Patrick Karl
  
• Plant Delights Nursery
  
• Randy Dykstra
  
• Ronald Toth
  
• Todd West
  
• Wallace’s Garden Center

Bob and Chris Coultrip’s Garden – Morton, Illinois

Bob and Chris Coultrip began transforming their garden in 1994, replacing traditional landscaping with conifers, garden ponds, and other unique plantings. Their passion for conifers took off after attending their first ACS National Meeting in 1999. Their ever-changing landscape now features over 300 conifers, including dwarfs, miniatures, and container plantings. Chris has added more ginkgo and Japanese maples over the years, while Bob continues to test Zone 5 limits with new acquisitions—sometimes successfully, sometimes at the mercy of Mother Nature. Even if you’ve visited before, their evolving garden will have something new to offer.

Dave and Nan Horst’s Garden – Sabula, Iowa

Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, across from Sabula—the only island city in Iowa—Dave and Nan Horst’s hillside garden displays an impressive array of dwarf conifers and hostas, beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. The bluffs rising behind the house enhance the garden’s dramatic allure, making it a must-see gem.

Dave and Barb Boeckmann’s Farm and Garden – Wheatland, Iowa

Since moving to their farm in 1975, Dave and Barb Boeckmann have transformed their hilltop property from a sparse landscape into a thriving conifer haven. Over time, they have incorporated a variety of hardwood trees, shrubs, hostas, daylilies, and perennials. Local limestone, including salvaged barn foundation blocks from a barn on the property, has been artfully repurposed into ledges and walkways. The latest addition is a second windbreak with spaces for flowering trees and pollinator-friendly plants.

FranMara – Oelwein, Iowa

Brothers Tom and the late Gary Whittenbaugh developed their beautifully landscaped lot, FranMara, with over 750 rare rock garden plants and dwarf conifers. The garden extends from street to alley and features numerous troughs filled with alpine plants and miniature conifers. It has been featured on the covers of Garden Gate and Iowa Gardening magazines, with each publication featuring a story dedicated to it. This meticulously maintained garden reflects their dedication and creativity.

Dennis and Nancy Hermson’s Garden – Farley, Iowa

Retired farmers Dennis and Nancy Hermson have cultivated an extraordinary conifer collection on their open prairie farm, where wind, sleet, and snow present constant challenges. Dennis has constructed protective berms to shield the most sensitive plants, allowing a variety of rare and dwarf conifers to thrive. The garden is constantly evolving, ensuring visitors will discover something new with every visit.

Ed and Kelli Rinderspacher’s Garden – West Branch, Iowa

Located on a century-old farmstead, Ed and Kelli Rinderspacher’s expansive garden is framed by towering trees that create distinct garden rooms. These spaces are filled with an extensive selection of perennials, hostas, tree peonies, hellebores, voodoo lilies, woody shrubs, deciduous trees, and conifers. Many of their conifers were acquired through ACS auctions. Their meticulous rockwork edging adds structure and visual interest. Ed, an arborist, landscaper, and plant collector, has curated a horticultural retreat that combines beauty with function, including extensive vegetable gardens and collections of cacti and succulents.

Emil Rinderspacher and Susan Goodner’s Garden – Iowa City, Iowa

What was once a cornfield is now an intricate landscape of mixed beds and borders planted with a variety of perennials, annuals, roses, grasses, shrubs, small trees, tropicals, and conifers. Over 30 years, Emil and Susan have planted over 250 varieties of trees and shrubs, along with thousands of bulbs, ensuring continuous bloom from early spring through frost. A Master Gardener for 31 years, Emil’s passion for conifers and woody plants has shaped a dynamic, inviting garden with a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and seasonal interest. His brother Ed fueled his interest in conifers.

Myron and Ellen Kloubec’s Koi Farm and Garden – Amana, Iowa

Nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Iowa near the Amana Colonies, Kloubec Koi Farm is an 80-acre aquaculture business transformed into a horticultural showcase. Owners Myron and Ellen Kloubec, who are passionate about koi and conifers, have created a striking landscape that features a 100,000-gallon garden pond with magnificent rockwork, cascading waterfalls, unique and unusual koi, and a cantilevered deck offering a place to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Their extensive conifer collection includes specimens of all sizes, shapes, colors, and textures, featuring rare and unusual varieties. This exceptional fusion of water and woodland highlights their keen design sense and love for the extraordinary.

American Conifer Society Reference Garden – University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Since 2014, the University of Iowa’s conifer gardens have been part of the ACS Reference Garden program. These gardens offer an educational and visually inspiring setting for visitors to explore. The university’s conifer gardens are located throughout campus, with notable plantings at Hancher Auditorium, the President’s Residence, and the Eckstein Medical Research Building. In 2014, two of the university’s conifer gardens were awarded the American Conifer Society Reference Garden distinction. Dancer’s Garden, situated next to Halsey Hall, and the Eckstein Medical Research Building Garden were identified as places where the public could learn more about conifers.

These remarkable gardens, each featuring its own unique character and plant collections, offer an unparalleled opportunity for ACS attendees to explore and find inspiration. Look for full details in your event email and enjoy discovering these extraordinary landscapes before and after the 2025 National Meeting!

Join us in the Quad Cities, Rock Island, Illinois, for the 2025 American Conifer National Meeting. Watch the video to discover what’s in store, including expert talks, stunning conifer displays, and networking opportunities with fellow enthusiasts. For more details, visit the event page!

Setting Your Sights on Cincinnati
By Sandy Haffner, photo by Sandy Haffner

Click here for a printable version of this article.

So, you have marked your calendar and registered for the National ACS Meeting to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio in June. And you've decided to make the meeting into a conifer-cation and spend a few extra days exploring the area. But where should you visit, and what should you plan to do while there? Read on!

The ACS meeting will take place both in northern Kentucky and across the Ohio River in Cincinnati. If you are staying at the flagship hotel close to the airport, you will be in northern Kentucky. But why is Cincinnati Airport in northern Kentucky? Well, Cincinnati had an airport (and still does) called Lunken which was prone to frequent runway floodings. So, in 1942 when FDR approved federal funds for a new airport, Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in northern Kentucky lobbied Congress to build the airport in northern Kentucky!

From your hotel, if you head south on I-71/75 to the Burlington, KY exit, visit Ammons Nursery, 6089 Camp Ernst Rd. They have a good selection of both conifers and shrubs.

Head back across the Ohio River and continue north on I-75 to the Mitchell Avenue exit and head for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens to see the U.S.'s second zoo. Noteworthy are the hippo bloat, which includes Tucker, Bibi, Fiona and Fritz. New also is the Elephant Trek (November 2023) which welcomed 2 adult female elephants and their young male calves. The Botanical Gardens of the Zoo encompasses 75 acres are home to over 3,000 accessions, from trees to groundcover.

Few visitors to Cincinnati realize that the city is built on 7 hills, just like Rome (our sister city). Travel to Eden Park, which is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, which is a destination in itself! Along with the Art Museum, Eden Park also includes Mirror Lake, the Krohn Conservatory (with a bonsai collection worth viewing) and the President's Grove of trees. Walk up the hill form the Krohn to see the statue of Romulus and Remus (a gift from the city of Rome) and walk to the overlook to see a beautiful vista of the Ohio River!

Head back towards the Ohio River to visit Smale Riverfront Park and take a ride on the historic Carol Ann's Carousel. Panels above the carousel animals depict historical sites around Cincinnati and the carousel animals were built by Carousel Works in Mansfield, OH, the world's largest manufacturer of hand-carved wooden carousels. If you're heading back to northern Kentucky from Smale Park, cross the Ohio River using the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which at a span of 1,075 feet is the longest suspension bridge in the world!

If the weather is good and you'd like to visit one or more of Cincinnati's parks, choose Ault Park, with its 224 acres of trails, rose gardens, Japanese cherry trees and lookout points. It is one of the best parks to observe the ancient geological features of Cincinnati. Also choose to visit Mt. Airy Arboretum, which includes many lovely mature conifers. Ohio is also home to more than 70 earthen mounds, earthworks sites of the Adena and Hopewell tribes that lived from 3,000 BCE until the 16th century.

Cincinnati's past is rich with brewing history. You can experience that history by going on a tour of the lagering tunnels, built before refrigeration and used to create German-style lagered beers. 40 feel below the streets of the neighborhood called Over-the-Rhine, lagering tunnels cover 10,000 square feet and maintain a year-round temperature of around 55 degrees.

Another site worthy of a visit while in Cincinnati is the Museum Center, complete with an Omnimax Theather, Museum of Natural History, Cincinnati History Museum, and the beautiful Union Terminal. Built in the Art Deco style of architecture, the Museum Center boasts the largest half-dome in the Western Hemisphere and a Rookwood tiled ice cream parlor. While on the west side of town, head up the hill to Price Hilland the Public Incline house for a bite to eat and a view from the patio that is unequaled! Built on the site close to where one of Cincinnati's inclines operated, the incline system idea was "stolen" from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. In its heyday, Cincinnati boasted 5 inclines.

Upon reading this article, you may have to increase the length of your conifer-cation!

Register for the 2024 National Meeting by April 15 to avoid the additional $50 late registration fee!

Event Details

• Date: June 13^th – 16^th
• Location: Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel
• Agenda: Garden Tours, Presentations, Plant Auction, and Tailgate Sale
• Find more details on the National Meeting Event Page!

 
Why Attend
The American Conifer Society National Meeting is a unique gathering where conifer enthusiasts, experts and professionals come together to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and celebrate the beauty of conifers.Whether you’re a seasoned conifer aficionado or just starting your journey, this event offers something for everyone.

Registration Information
Secure your spot by registering now! Regular admission pricing is only available until April 15th, 2024.

Register online or access the printable registration form here.

Key Dates to Remember

• Regular Admission $395 Deadline: April 15^th, 2024
• Late Admission $445 Deadline: May 15^th, 2024
• Event Kick-off: June 13^th, 2024

The 2024 American Conifer Society National Meeting is set to take place from June 13th to 16th in Cincinnati, Ohio. Positioned at the crossroads of the Central and Southeast Regions, the event promises an array of captivating conifers to explore. Attendees can look forward to engaging presentations, exclusive garden tours, and the highly anticipated American Conifer Society plant auction—an ideal chance to acquire unique and rare plants. Stay tuned for our upcoming announcement about registration opening soon!

EVENT TICKET PRICING

Regular Registration: $395 until April 15, 2024
Late Registration: $445 from April 16, 2024 through May 15, 2024

HILTON CINCINNATI AIRPORT HOTEL RESERVATION INFORMATION

Airport - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

FREE hotel shuttle to/from airport and FREE hotel parking

There are two ways to make reservations at the Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel:

1. Follow this custom link: https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=CVGCHHF&groupCode=908&arrivaldate=2024-06-12&departuredate=2024-06-16&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT.
   
   
2. Call the Hilton reservation line at 1-800-HILTONS and note that you would like to reserve a room in a group block at the Hilton Cincinnati Airport.  Ask for the group rate for “American Conifer Society National Meeting” or reference the group code “908”.

The discounted room rate is $139 per night, plus taxes.

*Please note that in order to use the above link, you cannot be logged into your Hilton Honors account. Please sign out of your Hilton Honors, book your room, and use the confirmation number to attach it to your Honors account once booked.

The cut-off date to make reservations in the block at the discounted rate is Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. Any requests after this date are based upon availability and not guaranteed the group’s discounted room rate. Guests are encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible to ensure availability. Please note a credit card will be required to secure the reservation, but will not be charged until you check-in.