I know I am not the only Hosta lover here! At last count I had about 32 different varieties in my gardens, but I think I have a few new ones since I counted. As most of my gardens are full sun all day I am running out of room to put them! This Hosta Ventricosa was the first I ever bought, and once I saw the bloom I was hooked! H. Ventricosa bloom ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) By the time we moved from that house to this one, I was already in love with Hosta's. I brought a piece of each type with me to the new house. Because of the limited shade I planted most of them along the back of the garage. That was in 2003, and, with the exception of the variegated one they have not been divided yet. They are WAY overdue and they are HUGE! I left the watering can here for size My original Hosta's ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) This H.Fortunei Albopicta had me guessing for years as it always turned green later in the season. I love the colors of it when it first emerges each spring H. Fortunei Albopicta ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) This h.Plantaginea is one of my originals and is a favorite for its light leaves and white scented blooms H. Plantaginea ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) H. Lancifolia came with the move here too. I love this Hosta because it is one tough cookie! It will take full sun all day, drought conditions and not bat an eye H. Lancifolia ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) This 'White Feather' I found in a catalog and HAD to have it! It was my first and only mail order Hosta 'White Feather' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) I traded a piece of another Hosta to a friend years ago for this 'Albiqua Drinking Gourd' 'Albiqua Drinking Gourd' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) Bought this 'Whirlwind' last year with my birthday $$ 'Whirlwind' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) I traded a piece of Peony root for this 'Night Before Christmas' 'Night Before Christmas' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) Love this compact 'Veronica Lake' and one of the first to bloom 'Veronica Lake' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) A few nestled together in a corner. 'Striptease', 'So Sweet', 'Sum and Substance', 'Pauls Glory' and the 'Empress Wu' I love the size of the leaves on the 'Sum and Substance' 'Striptease', 'Sum and Substance' and 'So Sweet' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) 'Sum and Substance' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) 'Praying Hands' was in the shade of the Forsythia that had a lot of winter kill this year. I had to trim a lot off the Forsythia so I hope it wont burn up now. 'Praying Hands' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) A new one last fall is 'Sun Power' 'Sun Power' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) I bought 'Earth Angel' the same day ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) This year I have been behaving very good and have only bought one new Hosta, 'Guacamole' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) I can't forget the birthday gift from a Hosta loving friend this year, 'Pandora's Box' ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden ) So those are a FEW of my favorite Hosta's in my yard. Show me YOUR favorites North facing garden ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )
Netty, Hubby counted mine a few days ago and he got lost at 200. I could not tell you about my favorite one cause I love so many of them. You have some gems there. Makes me wanna go out and find some of them. Thanks. Enjoyed them greatly.
I will try. I am very tired from the little garden tour the last two days. It was like an ice cream. I loved it. I will get out and take some pics later.
Netty, I have some, but I didn't keep most of them labeled very well and have lost the labels. But if you want to see them I will post some, but most won't have names other than a few I know and you already have those.
Netty--I am impressed that you have been able to keep track of the names of all your hostas--no small feat! I love many of your hostas: Sum & Substance is spectacular as is Guacamole. I can't believe that all white hosta! Is it hardy? I grow several hostas but am having trouble protecting them from deer munching. Some, I think I will just have to give away. Others are too lovely to abandon! My all time favorite hosta is Hosta montana 'Aureomarginata' I love how it shoots its leaves upright, allowing room for lower plants to grow at its feet. I also love its color: three shades of green & green/yellow. My favorite bright light hosta ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden ) Here it is again ( photo / image / picture from Cayuga Morning's Garden ) The photos don't capture its 3 shades of green & green/yellow.
I don't know what kind mine are. They are average size, green and white leaves, with light purple flowers. They were there before I got there and are beautiful and full. I should thin them out a bit. This year, I got so close! But, I skipped it again this year. My plan is to do it when they are young sprouts and, when I thin them, set aside some young leaves to cook. I keep procrastinating. Now, I have to wait again. Maybe next spring, I'll follow the plans to get out there and harvest some.
Cayuga - that IS a very nice looking Hosta! I also like the way it stands up tall. Last year I bought a 'Sagae' because of its size and height, but so far it is staying low. 'White Feather' is in it's prime early in the season when it is all white. As it matures, it's next stage is rather 'ratty' as many of the leaves will burn and turn brown around the edges. The next leaves to grow in are green, and eventually the entire plant is green. Beeker-I did not know you could eat Hosta leaves! I would like to hear more about that
Netty & Beeker---You know, I google eating hosta shoots after I read that post. Apparently the shoots are edible!!
Whoo, you do love Hostas Netty, how do you cope with slugs? I have my first Hosta but it won't flower till next year..Sum and Substance. But because you showed us Hosta Ventricosa I have orderd the seed......... Your Hostas are lovely. Hosta Sum And Substance ( photo / image / picture from kate's Garden )
I love all my Hosts. I took 45 pictures of the ones in the front of my home this morning. I didn't make notes if the names because I just do have the time today. I have to clean the back building out today.
Waretrop, beautiful pics. Cayuga and Netty, yep, they are edible. Just ask the deer! lol Actually, I read that it is a delicacy in Japan. There aren't many recipes, but I've seen soups, sautees, salads, and fried or boiled hostas.
Kate - I have never had a problem with slugs here at home. At work, on the other hand they are horrible! I use grapefruit halves and trap them, as well as coffee grounds. I grew H. Ventricosa from seed many years ago ... I think I winter sowed them. That plant is now enormous! Barb - thanks for posting, you have some real beauties there! Beeker - thankfully the deer haven't found my Hosta's yet!
