Garden Bed #7

Bed #7 merged with bed #5 in 2001. There used to be a stone wishing well fountain with 4 or 5 hostas around it. We got tired of it and redid it merging the 2 planting areas. In this photo bed #7 is in front of the red birdhouse that covers the electrical outlet.

One of my favorite plants. Medium to large streaked hosta; grows rapidly & is just plain wonderful.

About to burst it blooms. I traded some hostas for this plant. I wanted one really badly. It pokes out of the ground pretty early. On freeze-warning nights I cover it with a bucket. It's worth the effort.

www.paeonia.com/html/about_peonies/about_peonies.htm
www.songsparrow.com

"Venusta is called Otome Giboshi, the "(beautiful) maiden hosta," in Japan but this species is actually a Korean native. Found on Cheju Island, It is one of the smallest species & many different leaf forms are known." Hosta Library 2006

"Small round, sort of heart shaped blue leaves of very heavy texture. Slug resistant. Height with little bouquet of flowers is only 4-6".

Info - "MyHostas database" 'Hosta Library'
www.hostalibrary.org

What is there to say? So much has been written about hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' there's nothing more I could offer. All I can say, is this little fellow is irresistible. He always gets attention in the garden even up against the big guys. And he blooms his fool-head off! It's a spectacular explosion of perfect little hosta flowers. Not unlike a fireworks display. But Fireworks is the name of another wild mini-hosta. Blue Mouse Ears is just too cute!

However, grumbling is erupting over the mini-status of BME. It is rumored he gets too big for his britches then his cuteness wears off. If that proves to be the case; I say, "Out with the old". Go out & buy new little one.

The "HOSTA JOURNAL" (publication of the AHS) Volume 37 Number 2 features a great article all about hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'.

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If you love a good mystery, you'll love Arum italicum in your garden. This fellow is just plain fun to have around. He's one of those amazing plants that is still putting on a show in my late November garden.

There is year-round entertainment with Arum italicum. The spring show is a flower with a 'Jack-in-the-Pulpit' (Arisaema tryphyllum) type, erect spath, cloaking the spadix sort of like a hood. (That's how I know he's male.)

After bloom, the spring performers die back leaving the thick spadix which develops red-orange berries/seeds in summer. The spadix methodically goes soft and dies back. A-I (not artificial insemination) disappears hiding until summer's final curtain falls.

Encore performance in autumn presents thick substanced, arrowhead shaped, beautiful deep silver veined leaves as a solo act. They remain evergreen in warmer winter climates. Normally, here in Iowa they die back when it gets really cold, emerging again in very early spring.

I don't know why I didn't have this guy around a long time ago. He's a good time. Very easy to grow. Just enjoy it.

All parts of this plant are toxic. My pets do not bother it at all.

In late spring, Italian Arum produces little green Jack-in-the-Pulpit-like blooms, brown-spotted with yellow pistils. These are followed, summer through fall, by clusters of showy, orange-red berries on strong stems, creating a spectacular display in the garden, also suitable for indoor arrangements. In late summer through winter comes the foliage show - 12" waxy, arrow-shaped leaves marbled in silver. Intriguing in beds or rock gardens. Plant top quality bulbs 4-6" apart in full sun to shade. Grows 10-15" tall. Zones 4-9. 4+ cm bulbs. Breck's Bulbs

Learn more about Arum italicum.

Rodgersia aesculifolia (Rodgers Plant)

Drama & mystery; size, color, shape, form, & texture - Rodgersia has it all. The leaves are quite large and it can reach heights of 4-6' or more.

I fell in love with Rodgers plant the very first time I ever saw it at Sky Crest Gardens, Ames, IA. An adventure unveiled until I found one to buy. This plant can become a giant if it is planted in the right environment. It enjoys lots of moisture so sort of suffers living in my garden #7. It would like its feet a lot wetter. I love this plant so much I now have a second one living in bed #6. I can't remember where I found them but you should all keep your eyes pealed every time you visit any kind of specialty nursery for Rodgersia. If you do find one, do not pass it up. Take it home to grow in the shade or part shade or maybe morning sun. Try it. You'll like it! It is awesome near a water feature. Mine has never had flowers but I've read it can happen.

"Rodgersia has bold leaves that are just as beautiful as its white, yellow or red flowers. This perennial needs shade and moisture to grow well."

Choosing Rodgersia

Step One - Look for Rodgersia at nurseries in spring through fall.

Step Two - Buy Rodgersia in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

Step Three - Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flowers stems.

Planting Rodgersia

Step One - Plant Rodgersia in a shady spot with soil that doesn't dry out.

Step Two - Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

Step Three - Set plants 12 to 18 inches apart.

Step Four - Place plants no deeper than they were when growing in the containers.

Step Five - Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

Step Six - Water well until soil is completely moist.

Caring for Rodgersia

Step One - Cut off old foliage in early spring using bypass pruners.

Step Two - Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the top of the soil in early spring; follow directions on the package.

Step Three - Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

Step Four - Keep the soil constantly moist.

Hosta 'On Stage'

"H. montana 'On Stage' = H. 'Cho Ko Nishiki' - Japan
14" tall / Part Sun to Light Shade.

Yellow primary leaf color with a two tone green margin streaking to the center. Leaves 8 x 5. Purple flowers. A large montana hybrid with yellow leaf, irregular green margins.

This is one of the most talked about hostas in any garden. The pointed, deeply veined leaves are green with a multi-tone gold center. It emerges very late in spring with a bright gold center that changes later to white, then to a light/dark green contrast late in the season. When planted in morning sun, it holds its color better through the summer. The 3' wide clumps are topped with light lavender flowers in early summer on 48" scapes.

Yellow leaves with irregular green margins, a rapid grower; lavender flowers. The reversed form of montana 'Aureo-marginata'. Leaves are yellow with irregular two-tone green margins. One of the most beautiful Hostas we have seen and certainly one of our favorites. Lavender flowers."

Comments / MyHosta Database / Hosta Library

There is little left unsaid about hosta 'On Stage'. I have two 'On Stage' plants in my gardens. Now that says allot about just how wonderful this particular hosta is. No hosta shade garden should be without it! IMHO

If you do include this plant in your garden, do not despair in spring thinking it did not survive winter. 'On Stage' true to its Montana heritage emerges really late from winter dormancy. Just about the time you decide it is dead for sure and never going to come up, 'On Stage' will make its grand entrance then perform its mystical magic showing. It is so awesome in early spring, you have to see it to believe it! On Stage always gets noticed and is a true star performer in the garden deserving rave reviews.

My daughter is hinting around about not having an 'On Stage' plant in her garden. I am considering being a good mom and giving one of mine to her, but only out of desperation due to severe lack of growing space in my gardens. My plants are getting bigger every year, requiring more growing space & sacrificing certain plants. I try to adopt out the ousted plants to good homes and retain visitation rights.