I am very fond of hostas. I fertilize them in spring, and at the same time I remove the dead, dried-up leaves around the plant. They grow all summer, flower late summer/autumn and die quietly down when winter is here. If they get too big, I put a shovel straight through the root, give half the plant away and sit back to admire the new growth. They thrive in shade, part shade and full sun. They like it relatively moist, but don't seem to mind a little drought either. And the diversity! This is the smallest I have, Hosta "Minima", all of 3 cm high: "Geisha" - small, but wonderfully variegated: "Sultana", shiny and lovely: "Stiletto", with long, narrow leaves: "Spilt Milk" - easy to understand the name: "June" - adorably yellow: Hosta undulatum, very common and gorgeous: "Blue Boy" or "Blue Cadet" - they look exactly the same: "Reversed Patriot" - a true charmer: Hosta tokudama "Aureonebulosa" - a tonguebreaker and necktwister: "Striptease" - bought last year. The markings will show even better next year: Hosta fluctuans "Sagae" - 70 cm tall and splendid: Well, that was but an hors d'oevre. I hope you enjoyed them.
Oh I did, I really did!!! I already have Sultana, Spilt milk, June and Hosta Tokudama "Aureonebulosa" but I want to look out for that beautiful Undulatum you have. I don't think I've ever seen one over here because if I had it would now have pride of place in my garden. Keep posting pics of your hostas as they are just so lovely.
I enjoyed them too Droopy! I have several Hosta's most of which were from friends who couldn't identify them. I'm hoping to give them all a name.
Thank you, all! Eileen, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it somewhere in GB. I know they grow in Apple Court, Hampshire, for instance. Netty, may i suggest "The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hostas" by Diana Grenfell? cajunbelle, there is intense work being done across the USA too. Hopefully you will be able to find some that will grow in Louisiana.
