These containers sit in front of a raised box planting bed. This year it has mostly mini hostas in it. The plants toward the house would really like a little more sunlight. I tried to talk Ron into cutting a hole in the deck above & covering it with Plexiglas to let light through but he wouldn't go for it. Then I tried to talk him into hanging up florescent lights for the plants but he hasn't done that yet either. I wonder why.

Hosta 'Warwick Comet'

"This 16" x 30" beauty has pure white centered leaves with a 2.5" wide dark green margin. Add deep cupping, a wavy edge, and almost round foliage, and you get the picture! Why have many of us not seen it? It is one that does not come through TC well, so availability has been limited." - MyHostas databse / Hosta Library

I wanted this little hosta so bad, for so long. Every time I saw it, or a picture of it, I wanted it, right now. The selling price always slowed me way down. Eventually, I sort of forgot about the whole thing.

Then very late in the nursery selling-season (after the half-price sale had been going on for some time) I visited James' Greenhouse near Searsboro, IA. I walked into the hot, nearly abandoned perennial hoop-house and there sat, (could it be true, be still my heart) more than one, little hosta 'Warwick Comet'. I really could not believe my eyes. James' is known for reasonable prices so I thought, I dare peek at the price tag! = $6.00. What? How could that be? I thought my bifocals were playing tricks on me. But no, really & truly, it was Warwick Comet & it was only $6.00 (like free!) Yes, I bought 3. Gave 2 to friends as gifts & kept one just for me. I love that plant. It is prettier than its picture, a more perfect little hosta, I do not know. The perfect round little leaves are such thick substance and textured and the color is so true and variegation pattern is precise & bold & well, beautiful. A perfect plant for the shade garden! No hosta garden should be without Warwick Comet. That is, if you can find one that fits your budget. JMHO

Hosta 'Mini HaHa' NR

"These Benedict names (of H-Mini HaHa) are a complete mess: first Mini Ha Ha, next Minnehaha and now Minniehaha. According to the Hosta Library it is named in honor of the twin cities Minneapolis and St. Paul (the "haha"derived from St. Paul)! Ha ha, first of April." Hosta Library data sheet

I'm not sure where I got this sweet little hosta but I love it. It has stayed in mini size status, grows great, blooms profusely, & catches everybody's eye. I like the name too, being of strong Norwegian ancestry. And I hear the rhyme in my head we chanted while jumping rope as children, "Little Minnie Haha went to see her Papa".

Minnehaha - Jump Rope Rhyme

Wikipedia: Minnehaha

Hostas 'Cracker Crumbs' and 'Mini HaHa'

Hosta 'Shiny Penny'

Mini mound of heart shaped leaves. Emerges bright shiny yellow and turn coppery (just green for me) as the season progresses. Lavender flowers in late June.

Not a favorite plant in my garden. I think I got it back when I still thought I could have them (hostas) all. It was new & expensive when Connie & I put our hosta money together to buy the little thing. There really is nothing about this little fellow that makes him a standout plant or very unique except for Bob Solberg's gift to market what he wants to sell. JMHO

For more pictures from 2007 see Slideshow: Garden Beds #14 and #40.

Hosta 'Little Maddie'

Hosta 'Little Maddie'

A gift from my neighbor Trudy Van Wyk. She is also the plant's originator. It's so exciting to have a famous hosta hybridizer just across the street.

Hosta 'Little Maddie' - author Marvelous Marlys (pdf file)
Published - Russ O'Hara Hosta Society newsletter - spring 2007