Garden Bed #12 - page 2

Words can not describe the beauty & color of this large plant in early spring. It's the one hosta I've been willing to buy at Earl May which is always way over-priced! Usually I just go there to "look".

It takes a lot for me to have more than one of the same hosta in my gardens. I have 3 Savannah Supremes. It is a fast growing medium to large plant & likes some sunshine or can do well in a lot of shade. It blooms beautifully too & is fragrant. I love this plant.

Hosta Plantaginea 'Ming Treasure' has become a favorite. The apple green leaves glow & glimmer & show-off for all to see. The large pristine white blooms are fragrant & fill late summer evening air with a wonderfully sweet perfume. I love to inhale the plant's magical fragrance. The wide creamy white leaf margins set the scene making this a "knock-out" must-have plant in every garden. 'Ming Treasure' welcomes more sun than most hostas & grows very quickly making it a perfect "friendship" plant to share with all your garden friends. You gotta love it!

"Tree peonies are the Chinese national flower and have been popular since the 7th century. In fact, the tree peony is synonymous with the phrase "spring flower". The respect shown to the tree peony is also seen by the symbolic value of these flowers. Tree peonies represent good fortune, love and prosperity, and are considered the essence of the Yin (female) element in nature."

Iowa Arboretum has begun a tree peony collection that when in bloom is absolutely captivating. I can honestly say I have never seen anything as wonderful. The fragrance of the Chinese species is so unbelievably sweet & spicy. I could stand in the garden all day absorbing the essence of Yin.

I have only 2 growing in my garden so far, but I brought home 2 more the other day to plant somewhere. They will grow in containers but need a big pot to allow for their root system. Tree peonies might seem a little pricey, but are true perennials living a very extended life-time. There are plants in China known to be more than 300 years old.

Tree peonies are deciduous woody shrubs, reaching an average size of 4-5' tall. They are very easily grown in zones 4-9 requiring only very minimal care; preferring loamy soil & sunshine & requiring no extra watering. The roots will suffocate (drown) if over-watered. After the bloom time architectural leaf shape & woody stem design add interest & provide background in the garden.

Brilliant yellow spring color that holds well; red up the petioles into the leaf bases. Can be an awesome plant. But bugs & slugs really enjoy the thin substance leaves. I had to dig it out of the garden & protect it in a pot to save its life - 05

Listed in "Hosta Handbook" by Mark Zilis 6" high x 18" wide. Wonderful little plant in perfect growing location. I've had trouble growing this one & the bugs / slugs like it too.

Hosta 'Yellow Splash'

Hosta 'Yellow Splash' - 2007

My friend, Connie gave me a single eye of hosta 'Yellow Splash' two years ago. Connie loves streakers! No, not that kind; she loves hostas with streaked colored leaves. Yellow Splash has really impressed me with rapid growth & bright coloration that holds well throughout the summer. It is fertile, producing streaked petioles & seeds. In 2007 I grew 3 or 4 really nice little streaked seedling from my mama Yellow Splash plant. I can hardly wait until next spring to see how they've grown. It's all about having fun!

Hosta 'Yellow Splash' - 2007

Hosta 'Grand Prize'

This hardy plant is easily shared among garden friends. Never misses a beat after being divided. Grows very quickly & commands attention in the garden. Hosta 'Grand Prize' out-shines them all in early spring.

Hosta 'Grand Prize' - 2007

Nice bright color in the shade garden. Small mounding plant. Grows quickly as is characteristic of the Tiara hosta family.

"Developed in 1950's & described in the first issue of The American Hosta Society Bulletin (Summers, 1969)" Extensively used as pod parent of many of Eunice Fishers hosta cultivars.

Hosta Handbook / Mark Zilis

Ron's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago. I did a trade via the hosta forums on the internet for hosta Golden Anniversary. I gave it to them in commemoration of the grand occasion. I kept an eye for myself too. Finally in its third year it impressed me.

Fun little green plant. Flowers profusely. Cute in a little pot & as an edger along a garden path.

Light green leaves the color of green apples with tiny little fine white leaf margins. Likes some sunshine.