Miniature Hosta’s are very popular these days . I have a whole collection of them, but I working my way into more mini’s now . When will the passion for Hosta’s stop?

Meet  Mini Peanut

White Center 4″ long by 2 3/4″ wide; dark green margin that sometimes streaks into the creamy yellow to white center; heavily corrugated; ovate blade shape

Grows 6″ high by 18″ wide

In mid July-August purple flowers will put on a show..

Hosta Peanut has a medium growth rate.

Would work great in small spaces, containers, fairy gardens,etc

Collecting hosta seeds is fun and rewarding .

Each fall you can go out in your hosta gardens and collect them when the pods are brownest tan, some may have even split open by the time you get out to them as they have for me today.

Pick either the pods or stem and pods which may be easier to do .

Place them in a dry area to further their drying and then store in bag, jar , envelope in a cool dry area.

This video may help you create your very own Hosta Woodland Garden.

Hostas are one of the most sought after perennial plant for part sun to shade areas. So what is so great about Hostas? Well Hostas are a pretty care free perennial , with a few exceptions. With thousands of varieties out there today what are the best well not sure there is any that are considered the best, but there is a list of many favorites . To name a few Patriot Hosta, Blue Angel Hosta, Striptease and many more.

One thing many question is when is a good time to dividing hostas.. My personal preference is in the spring in your area when the hostas are first popping out of the ground.. The easiest time to split and divide. However, many divide them throughout the season with success but pay attention to your weather and moisture.

A few years ago the Hosta virus X was indicated in some varieties. This was a major concern for many hosta gardeners and growers. Make sure when splitting to use a 10 percent bleach solution to clean your tools when splitting several different varieties. Many hosta growers are now taking special care to prevent this from happening and spreading.

Hostas really only have a few insect problems , when in a damp area or long periods of rain, slugs and snails can destroy hostas and make them cosmetically ugly.. There is many natural remedies for these little pests to help control the infestations.

Plant Hostas in a well drained sun to shade area. The type of light will really depend on your area and your heat.. Hostas can look very different in appearance when exposed to different areas of lighting. Hostas also love moisture when long periods of dry spell make sure you water them. Water in the morning so you have the day for them to dry off so you can prevent slug and snail damage.

Hostas look beautiful throughout the season, you can combine many other perennials with hostas such as heuchera, ferns, astilbe, foxglove and many more.

Hostas also look nice with annual flowers such as impatiens, coleus, lobelia, these are a few examples.

Enjoy your Hostas growing, they are such a joy to have in your landscape.

                               Hosta Paradigm

Hosta Paradigm is one special Hosta.  This leave pattern is one that will catch your eye.. So  outstanding that it was chosen as 2007  Hosta of the Year.

This super sport of ‘Abiqua Recluse’ has beautiful gold leaves edged with a blue-green margin. The variegation pattern intensifies later in the spring.

A Walden West introduction , this hosta was formingly known as Abiqua Paradigm.

Purple lavender flowers in summer and classified as a large hosta.

Leaves are of good substance and corrugated, making them slug-resistant.

Grows in zones 3-8- 9 with 20 inches high and 3 foot spread.

Hosta like a part shade to shade area.

Diane’s Notes: This was another new one I purchased in 2010, and I was impressed with it’s color in a liner size. I am loving yet again another Hosta.. This one should be available spring 2011 if all goes well. I hope to get one in the ground for show some time , as that is the best way is to see them growing .

Do you have this Hosta, if so post a comment.

Hosta Blue Mouse Ears

Hosta Collectors take a look at this one, Dainty,  small but this doesn’t stop it from having  that hosta appeal.

Hosta Blue Mouse Ears was awarded the AMERICAN HOSTA GROWER’S ASSOCIATION 2008 HOSTA OF THE YEAR.

Important points to make that this blue hosta is  one of the best small hosta introductions since the formation of the American Hosta Society in 1968; small, cupped, blue-green foliage in a low, tight mound; very attractive purple flowers; developed by Emile Deckert of Maryland (2000 AHS registration)

Classified as a mini hosta , or miniature blue hosta. Grows 8 inches high by 19 inches wide.

Leaf Detail is beautiful Blue, with a size of 2 1/2” long by 2 1/4” wide; bluish green; nearly round shape; very thick substance.

Hosta Blue Mouse Ears has dense clusters of pale purple flowers in July,   with 12” high scapes

Zone hardiness is Zones 3-8, and plant in a part shade to shade area.

Diane’s Notes: Beginning in 2010 I started adding minature  hostas to my collection. This one is a treasure to have . I love the look , the shape of the hosta leaves, and it has a nice mounded habit.. Look forward to seeing how they do and grow next year.  Don’t be afraid to try this one, and one more thing.. Hosta Blue Mouse Ears will be ideal for containers.

                            Hosta Olive Bailey Langdon

Hosta Olive Bailey Langdon sport of Frances Williams

Large mound of blue- green centered , gold-margined foliage. Brightens in Mid June making it less susceptibility to leaf burn.

Grows 28″ high by 60″ wide
Leaf Detail: GoldMargin , beautiful gold edged margin that will standout amongst other Hostas, especially the blue leaf  hostas.  Leaf size is 13″ long by 10″ wide; gold margins; blue green center; heavily corrugated; thick substance.

Flowering: Near-white flowers open in dense clusters on 30″ scapes in June-July.

Zone Hardiness 3-8

Comments: Similar to ‘Frances Williams’ but its margins brighten much later, thereby reducing the so-called “spring burn” problem by 90% or more; identical to ‘Frances Williams’ in growth habit, flowering, and thick substance; can also be properly listed as Hosta sieboldiana ‘Olive Bailey Langdon’.

Hosta Olive Bailey Langdon is included in The Hostapedia Encyclopedia

Diane’s Thoughts: Bought these  as liners in spring of 2011, the liners are already looking good and this is going to be another beautiful Hosta to offer.

To see more hostas check out Hosta Library.

Share your story.. Do you have this Hosta in your Hosta Collection would love to hear what you think of it.

The American Hosta Growers Association has chosen Sum and Substance for the 2004 Hosta of the Year.

2004 Hosta of the Year Sum and Substance is still soaring  in popularity today.

If you are looking for a giant of a Hosta, you have found it in Sum and Substance Hosta.

When you are looking for different varieties of Hostas, what are  you really looking for in that Hosta?

You want a Hosta that stands out , and performs in the landscape like  no other. Sum and Substance is one hosta you need in your landscape and I will tell you why.

Here we go,

Sum and Substance averages 30 inches tall by a spread of 60 inches  wide. It’s growth habit is upright, heart-shaped flat leaves  with glossy chartreuse hue that changes to gold when and if exposed to more light.

The bloom is nearly white lilac in color that are borne on leaning scapes 36 inches long that appear in late  July through mid-August.

Add Sum and Substance with green and blue hostas, which will really make this gold hosta shine.  Plant them in numbers of 3 , which balances and looks great in your beds.

Sum and Substance adds interest all season , and changes can take place depending on where you plant . Lighting is very important to really see the beauty unfold .

So in closing, Sum and Substance makes a beautiful specimen plant. if you need or want to add contrast in your hosta gardens, you need to add this beauty of a Hosta to your hosta collection

 Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

The Hostapedia Encyclopedia Review

 
The Hostapedia Book  is  here for  all  of you that enjoy Hosta gardening. This is for people that are business owners in the gardening industry. This book is for you the home owner , collector , hobbyist. You name it you will love this book.

The Hosta industry has well over 7000 different hosta species . You will find many beautiful Hosta photos and descriptions in this book.

The Hostapedia was written by Mark Zilis, Mark describes every hosta he has been around in the past 30 years. Included in this book is Hostas he has studied  around United States and those too in Japan where he observed them in their natural habitat.
All hosta cultivars registered with the American Hosta Society , with a   unbelievable number of photos,  1897 photos in the Hostapedia are  showing the most important hostas, plus many unusual collector’s plants and hosta oddities all included inside this  book.

Pages of interest within  the first few pages of the hostapedia takes you through the introduction of the book . Here is what is covered, Materials and Methods, Developing New  Hostas, How Hostas are Named, Plant Patents, Plant Breeder’s Rights and Trademarks, Hosta Societies, Hosta Publications, and Guide to Reading Descriptions.

As you get through the introduction  pages the Hosta Descriptions begin,  here is where the beauty of this book shines through. There is  Over 7400 hosta descriptions listed A-Z, 1897 color photos and Complete index of hosta names. Photos are beautifully displayed in this book, it will definitely get your juices going and excited
to find and add more varieties to your collection.

As we move through the book , next is the Bibliography, from there is a General Index , and finally the  Hosta Name Index.

The Hostapedia is no whimpy book , You will be pleased to know it is a hardcover, with a outside cover to protect the  book. You will be thrilled at it’s 1125 pages. The size of the Hostapedia Book  is 9″ x 12″ . Nicely put together with no fear of falling apart.

The Hostapedia Encyclopedia is a hosta lovers dream book , a nurseryman,  catalog of knowledge, a gardeners resource for identifying Hostas.

This hosta book  is a must for anyone involved in the gardening industry  and or home owner.  A great resource for adding to your gardening book collection.

TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED  COPY TODAY CLICK HERE

HAPPY GARDENING

Every year the American Hosta Growers Association chooses a Hosta of the Year.

Each year everyone is eager to go out and purchase this hosta because of it’s notoriety.

The hosta of the year is special and is recognized throughout the gardening industry, why wouldn’t you want to add this variety to your hosta collection.

The 2011 Hosta of the Year is Praying Hands, special regards to breeder Jerry Williams for bringing us this very unique unusual hosta variety.

Many hostas have names and can be included in your landscape for a variety of reasons and causes, just because of name sake and here is one example.

Praying Hands Hosta makes for a great plant to grow in memorial gardens, a special garden where you are honoring either a special loved one, a pet, etc.

Praying Hands hosta is a small curled leaved hosta with a touch of white to goldest edging, very unique and unusual attributes that some say doesn’t even look like a hosta, but if you are looking for a smaller hosta this may be one for you to add to your hosta collection.

Let’s talk more on the attributes of this unique, much sought after Hosta

Praying Hands has twisted, folded, wavy and narrow leaves that grow upward in a vase-like fashion that resemble hands folded in prayer.

Since this Hosta is in smaller nature, it will do great in container gardening. Grows to a height of just 14 inches, scape height to 18 inches and a spread of 18 inches.

Praying Hands Hosta grows in Zone 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Blooms purple shade flowers in Late Summer. It’s growth rate is rated as a medium grower.

To grow the very best hostas, plant in shade to part shade area, not recommended is hot afternoon sun and grow where the soil is dark and a extra touch of enriched with organic matter never hurts.

Hosta’s are relatively easy to grow and will reward you year after year with an abundance of new growth.

In closing, Praying Hands Hosta is a must for anyone’s Hosta collection.

Happy Gardening

Hosta Montana Aureomarginata 

 This is a very nice looking hosta.. I really like the creamy yellow cream  edges  , it is very attractive. 

 The leaves are somewhat cupped at base; often several gentle marginal undulations that twist at the tip 

 Montana is a large vase shaped mound of gold-margined , green centered foliage. Being bright gold in spring , fading to a chartreuse by midsummer when grown in all day shade, leaf blad arching , oblong -elliptic to ovate-shaped slightly wazy , and faintly corrugated. 

 This hosta has very pale purple flowers 

 Grows to 27 inches high by 68 inches wide at maturity.. 

 Happy Gardening 

Diane Mumm 

Hosta Shade Fanfare

Shade Fanfare  has golden foliage with a white edge. The foliage starts off golden yellow with a creamy edge, turning to chartreuse with a white edge by mid summer.

A really nice color  that brightens any area in your garden or landscape.

Purple flowers reward you  in  June – July .

 Excellent rapidly growing medium-sized specimen.

Hardy in Zones 4-9

If you are looking for a hosta with lighter  lime green color, this is a nice one to consider.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Hosta Fair Maiden

Our ‘Fair Maiden’ Hosta has white margins that consistantly streak towards the center of the leaf.

This is a very pretty and charming  hosta.  I love the coloring of the leaves and it is a very compact and  tidy hosta.

Very wide and irregular creamy edge provides attractive contrast with dark green centers.

Lavender flowers in midsummer

Grows to 14 inches tall by 30 inches ..

Hardy zones 4-9

It is a slower growing hosta but very much worth the wait.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Hosta Gold Standard

The Hosta ‘Gold Standard’, Hosta fortunei, has heart-shaped large broad leaves with creamy yellow and variable dark green margins. The color of it’s leaves seem to change as season moves along, and this is also depends on it’s lighting situation.

Hosta’s provide bright color in shade with wonderful foliage. There is something that is so appealing about foliage plants and that is the color variations they give you throughout your landscape.

Hosta ‘Gold Standard’ needs to be planted in a part  shaded area, with morning sun or filtered sun  area in any moist, well-drained area.

Hosta ‘Gold Standard’ was an American Hosta Society multiple winner.

This low care perennial is ideal for shady positions, tubs and patio pots, and one of the most popular for landscape uses. A great choice for any beginner gardener.

Bloom time is in July into August  with  tall spikes of lavender flowers.

The Gold Standard’s  plant height of 24” and a spread of 36-48”

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Hosta Striptease

An outstanding hosta certain to be one of the most talked about plants in hosta world!

An intriguing sport of ‘Gold Standard’, it has a wider dark green margin. It was named ‘Striptease’ because a white strip appears between the green and gold area.

The ovate, slightly wavy leaves have wide, dark green margins and a narrow ivory to gold center. Irregular white stripes  appears between the green and gold areas. The width and amount of striping varies from leaf to leaf, and often doesn’t appear in young plants.

Leaf texture is rather leathery, and therefore the plants are very weather-resistant. In midsummer pale violet, slightly fragrant flowers appear on the 2 foot high flower spikes.

This medium-sized hosta is a vigorous grower typically reaching 20″ high and up to 2 feet in diameter.

Hostas as   always , like well drained  humus rich moist soil in light shade . Giving them the right conditions can reward you year after year.

A one of a kind  collector’s  hosta. 2005 American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year!.

Hostas are so popular amongst gardeners, so many varieties to choose from , Hosta Striptease a nice hosta to add to your collection.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Hey all Gardening Friends,

Today it occurred to me that with the New Year approaching I want to start things out by giving some of my knowledge to everyone I have met online , being either facebook , twitter , etc.

I put together a Hosta Ebook a few years back and have been selling it online , but I feel generous , and I know what this could mean for someone that is needing some knowledge in this area.

The Hosta Ebook is called How to Grow Hostas to Beautify Your Landscape and it is 155 pages.. Many hours have been put into this book , as in my experience, others experiences and also much in research .

Hostas are a perennial much loved by many because of the mass variety of choices. 

The beauty of  Hostas are their variations of leaf patterns .

What is not to love about Hostas!

My journey continues with growing hostas.. purchasing new varieties , and showing others what I have done in my landscape that hopefully can inspire others to do the same.

To obtain your free hosta ebook all I ask is for you to opt in , to my newsletter  in the right hand corner of this blog, which I hope to give you tips and advice in gardening.

10 years experience having my own Greenhouse Operation locally in Iowa should tell you that I have the love for growing things..

I hope you enjoy your Hosta Ebook.. Any questions just ask..

Happy Gardening Friends

Until next time

Diane Mumm