AUGUST A— The Maine Hosta Society will host a Hosta auction Saturday, July 9, at Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St. A silent auction will begin at 10 a.m. and a live auction of more than 100 select Hostas from North Carolina and from local nurseries will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Hostas are easy to grow, herbaceous perennials that tolerate shade as well as some sun. Grown mainly for their beautiful foliage, Hostas come in a wide range of shapes and colors, sizes and textures.

Hostas are native to Japan, Korea and China. They were first imported and grown in Europe in the late 1700s. By the mid-1800s they were growing in the United States. Today, there are hundreds of species and thousands of cultivars available to the home gardener as a result of hybridizing and tissue culture propagation.

The Arboretum’s extensive Hosta collection, located along a birch-lined path just east of the Visitor’s Center, will be available to view by all visitors and auction participants throughout the day.

Admission to the auction and to the Arboretum is free. The public is invited to attend and participate. Payment by cash or check only.

For more information, visit vilesarboretum.org, stop by or call 626-7989.