Oldie but Goodie!

"Classic" is maybe a more descriptive label for this beautiful, hardy hosta specimen growing in Grandma's Garden / Bed #3. I love growing great plants. Often these "older generation" hostas do not get the respect they should. I was taught to respect my elders. I listen to the "Golden Oldies" on the radio too.

"White leaves with green edges and variegated centers. Glossy undersides. Undulated leaf tips turn down. Variegation on center of leaf runs to bottom of the petioles which are green edged. Wavy leaves w/white center and green margins; lavender flowers. Variable white center with green margins. Lavender flowers." --Hosta Library Database Info

One of the good standby Hostas of unusual foliage coloring. Clear white irregular center stripe with mid green edges shading with light green marbling to the center stripe. (Plant 30x16)

My hosta 'Choo Choo Train' was almost lost to feeder roots of our huge old Mulberry tree. I had to move it to save its life. So it had to start all over again. It is still not in a permanent home-spot as hopefully it will outgrow its spot in Bed #3 one of these years.

Eventually grows into a giant clump 6' wide x 2' tall. The thick golden foliage is incredibly ruffled. In summer, the clumps are topped with 3' scapes of near white flowers.

Progeny: Sports (Progeny): American Icon, Choo Choo Train margined, Journey's End, Peanut Butter & Jelly (hybrid).

Hosta 'Gunther's Prize'

Spectacular streaked and mottled sport of hosta 'Sum & Substance.
Originator Gunther Stark (Stark Gardens) brought to market (tc plants ) - Bob Solberg & Dean Stark.

All hosta hybridizers dream of a hosta that is so uniquely different from all other hostas that there is no mistaking it for any other plant. Gunther's Prize is that plant! And it grows into a big boy too with all the attributes of its ancestor, hosta 'Sum & Substance'. In my garden, no two leaves are alike! I have a young tc plant. This plant was next to impossible to get before it went into tc labs. Gunther Stark of Stark Gardens, found & grew this plant for many years. He may have shared it with a very few of his very special hosta friends but it was not for sale.

I remember seeing Gunther's Prize at Stark Gardens several years ago. I thought I was having a Hosta Hallucination. It was just the most spectacular hosta specimen I had ever seen. I had never even envisioned such a plant could exist. When it is said, "a hosta like no other," 'Gunther's Prize' is it. The original stock plant I believed stayed pretty true. It is yet to be seen if the tc plants will sustain that pattern. 'Gunther's Prize' is that standout hosta specimen yearned for by all hosta collectors. It always get noticed!

See Slideshow: Hosta 'Gunther's Prize' for more pictures.

Hostas: Blue Mammoth - Sagae - Savannah - unknown blue hosta / Bloodroot & Lamium (deadnettle) & Bleeding Heart early spring 2007

The 'Big Guy' hostas in Bed #3 dazzle me in the spring time. 'Blue Mammoth' is aptly named but hosta 'Sagae' rivals him for the "Who's the Biggest" grand prize. Hosta 'Savannah' doesn't really belong where she is (long story ,having to do with the never-ending story of, "No Where to Grow" in Marlys' Gardens). It's on my list to move 'Savannah' to a new home somewhere in my gardens. She enjoys quite a bit of sunshine so that makes more options available. I all ready had to move her from Bed #6 due to over-crowding. It's a good thing 'Savannah' is such a elegant lady or I might be tempted to give her away but her flowers are fragrant and her upright vase shape is desirable, and she grows without being fussy or particular, so she's a keeper!

'Blue Mammoth' is a beautiful powdery blue plant, very large plant ranked an X-Large plant (it is). It is a slow grower but worth the wait. He prefers dappled sunlight. Too much direct sunshine melts the waxy blue coating off his leaves causing him to become more green than blue. 'Blue Mammoth' blossoms are fragrant also & he sets tons of fertile seeds. He is very pretty in a container also.

What's left to be said about hosta 'Sagae' that hasn't all ready been said? Nothing! 'Sagae' is King or Queen of the Garden - (which ever sex you personally think the plant represents.) 'Sagae' enjoys more sunshine than some hostas, grows quickly, gets huge, blooms fragrant pure white flowers, and sets tons of fertile seed. 'Sagae' was awarded the honor of 'Hosta of the Year 2000'. He is a standout specimen, no matter where he grows, or goes.

My unknown Blue hosta is most probably 'Hadspen Blue' a cousin of hosta 'Halcyon' or maybe 'Halcyon' herself. I had these blue hostas before I moved to our present home and before I knew enough to pay attention to hosta names & games. I think I bought them at a nursery in town after we got hit by a terrible hail storm several years ago. In reality the nurseryman probably didn't pay attention to hosta names either. There are some people (like my neighbor, Betsy) that think hostas are just another green plant. And my very own mother had the audacity to tell me to my face, that she thinks all hostas look a like, and ask me what the big deal is about hostas. LOSERS!!!

Hosta 'Norwalk Chartreuse'

ROHS (Russ O'Hara Hosta Society) hosts a summer plant auction in conjunction with its summer mtg / tour / picnic luncheon. It is for members & guests only and an opportunity to snag some great hostas donated from member's gardens. A few years back I was lucky enough to win the bid on OS Norwalk Chartreuse straight from Gunther's Stark's garden. Stark Gardens is near the town - Norwalk, IA. Thus the name. I have really enjoyed the plant growing beside the boardwalk leading up to our front door. It gets lots of sun & seems to like it just fine. It blooms well & sets seed but most of all it is just plain pretty to look at. It is so fresh & crisp in spring with a really unique chartreuse coloration, looking like it might be delicious in a summer salad. Yes, a yummy plant! Another favorite in Marlys' Garden.

Bed #3 'Grandma's Garden' (Marlys Gardens) - May 31, 2007

Hosta 'Brenda & Dean'

Unknown Sdlg found in Stark Gardens - 2003

During a visit to Stark Gardens I spied a baby hosta under the umbrella of a large hosta. After I pointed it out to Dean Stark, I asked him if I could have the little thing. I told him I would name it for him & his partner, Brenda if I could have it. Yes, I was begging. Well how could Dean say no as we (Connie & I) had spent allot of hosta money there that day.

I full envisioned this tiny hosta quickly growing into a plant the size of hosta 'Frances Williams' herself. However, my baby just sat and has never really grown up much. I've decided it's a mini-hosta for sure as it's still only 4 or 5" tall. And I was counting on lots of new eyes appearing this spring after I moving the baby to a new growing location last fall. I was sure having a new, roomier, brighter growing location would do great things for my little baby sdlg but its still just one eye. It is everything I like the best in a hosta, very thick substance, very round leaves, and perfect variegated leaves. I keep looking for some sign of new growth but haven't seen it yet. Hey, it's just for fun!