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

How to Grow and Care for Heuchera Plants  Also Called Coral Bells

Heuchera Electra

Today’s topic  is exploring the world of Heuchera’s also known as Coral Bells.

If you are  needing color and contrast in your landscape all season long,  Have you thought of adding Heuchera perennial plants?

Why are Heuchera’s  becoming so popular?   Well, the foliage outshines the bloom with most Heuchera’s , there is nothing like seeing all the different  color combinations and contrasts.

Heuchera’s are easy to grow, carefree plants that bring so much value and beauty to your landscaped areas.

Every year new varieties are coming out, with different leaf shapes, sizes, textures, and color.

The foliage color ranges from purple, peach, green , burgundy , chartreuse, browns, and rusts. With many more to come.

Heuchera’s  all bloom but in reality this is not the most significant attribute of them. The foliage color last’s all season making this the most  valued feature.

Heuchera’s can be planted  in the ground, but they really look great in pots during the season.

When most plants are done blooming, heuchera’s keep going and going and what is extra beautiful about them
is they can change coloring as the season’s change.

Heuchera Mint Julep

Let’s begin by talking about Heuchera’s culture. They grow in a sun to partial shade , to shade areas, this will depend on the variety of heuchera you have and where you live.
 
Heuchera can look different in appearance depending on the lighting you are allowing  it to have during the day. Hotter climates may choose to plant them in morning sun and afternoon shade, cooler climates may get by with more sun . Keep in mind where you live will and can make that difference in planting area.

Heuchera’s bloom in later spring and the color of the blooms varies with each variety, after their done blooming you can remove the stems to clean and tidy up the plant.

 Heuchera grow in zones 4-9 and require well drained soil.  Their size and mounded shape makes for a ideal plant in the garden.

When planting them make sure you do not bury the crown to deep, keep the crown slightly above  the
soil, this is where the new growth  takes  place. Pay close attention to this otherwise you could have  some loss.

Dividing Heucheras should be done preferably in the spring. You will know if this is needed when the plant starts to separate in the center.

Placing mulch around the plants can never hurt , this keeps the weeds down and also protects your investment. Just don’t cover to much around the crown area.

So next time you are at the local nursery or gardening center ,  ask them about the new Heuchera  varieties. There is some pretty great things happening in the Heuchera world.
 
Foliage color is becoming more and more an interest to gardeners around the world. Make sure you include Heuchera  today.

Happy Gardening, and Make it Count!
Diane Mumm

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

Doreanthus ‘Mezoo’

Trailing Red Succulent.

A unique low-growing plant that can used either alone or in mixed containers.

Very controlled growth habit, it will form small red flowers when grown under high light and warm temperatures.

It has excellent heat and drought tolerance in the landscape.

This is a unique plant that reminds me up a iceplant, does do well as a houseplant too.. Plant in good lighting.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

        Opal Innocence Nemesia

Innocence Nemesia  Iridescent has  rosy-pink/creamy ivory/lavender flower color.

The fragrance of this nemesia variety is sweetly fruity with vanilla grace notes.

It rewards you  continuously bountiful blooming nature, and self-cleaning behavior?

Grows 12-16 inches, Plant in sun to partial shade..

Hardy to 25 degrees, annual except in zones 9-10

Use as a Thriller  in containers, baskets, mixed combinations- Used either in the back or middle of a container. Usually a taller item that adds height and drama to the container.

If you are looking for a fragrant flower, this would be a great choice.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Diamond Frost Euphobia

Clouds of airy white flowers all season.

This is a plant that literally is hard to keep on the shelves, very popular and sells quickly.

Diamond Frost makes a great filler plant , as it intermingles through other plants, and it also looks good as a stand alone plant.

Heat tolerant and low maintenance .

Attributes:

 Adaptable as a Houseplant
• Best Seller
• Deadheading Not Necessary
• Deer Resistant
• Drought Tolerant *
• Heat Tolerant
• Landscape (Professional)
• Landscape Plant
• Must Have

Tip: Plants in the spurge family often will bleed a milky, white sap if cut or wounded. This sap is a form of latex. Most people will have little or no reaction due to sap exposure from the euphorbia that Proven Winners sells. However, people with sensitive skin or latex allergies should be cautious when handling euphorbia. Poinsettias are in this same family. If you have ever experienced a skin irritation due to contact with poinsettias you should be cautious with all euphorbia.

Plant in sun to parttial shade depending on your area. Grows 12-18 inches tall.

Hardy to 40 degrees, Grow as a annual except in zones 10-11

I love this plant and so do many others, it is so airy and looks good with combination containers.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Alternanthera Partytime Joseph’s Coat  

Uniformly variegated green and pink ground cover that performs well in the shade. This is a foliage plant that I have come to love . Very Unique !     

Easy to care for and will reward you with color all season. Pinch or shear as needed.

 • Heat Tolerant 

• Landscape Plant      

Plant in pots or landscapes, plant in partial sun to shade. Grows 18-36 inches tall .  Annual except in zones 9-11    

This is a very colorful foliage plant. It looked really good in my grove either in containers or in the ground , among my Hostas.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm

Argyranthemum Butterfly Marguerite Daisy

• Best Seller as it has great attributes
• Deadheading Not Necessary, but can improve the look of the plant. 
• Fall Interest
• Landscape Plant

Deadheading may improve appearance but isn’t necessary for continuous bloom.

ACALYPHA wilkesiana Copperleaf

Glossy, bronzy-green leaves mottled with shades of red, crimson, and/or purple.

Grown for it’s beautiful foliage.

Very Adaptable as a Houseplant

Use as a Thriller – Used either in the back or middle of a container. Usually a taller item that adds height and drama to the container.

 Hardy to 40 degrees, Annual except in zones 10 – 11

I just adored this plant last season 09, it was so attractive . Foliage plants just can’t be beat,  plus a plant that works inside, a added bonus.

Happy Gardening

Diane Mumm