Hosta Fabulous Hosta

Over the years, I've learned not to share my latest exciting hosta news with my mom. Mostly because she thinks I'm nuts. She does not understand why I drool over hosta websites and fret over quirky new hybrids when there is a whole slew of perfectly fine, you can't kill'em hosta's under her trees.

She's seen my plants and can't tell the difference. I don't mind one bit. Her lack of hosta appreciation means there is no guilt in not offering to split a special plant that took me years to grow up! One of these plants is Whirlwind. Slugs ignore it, it's always glossy and the curve of the leaves is unique and pretty.

White Christmas is another such variety. This plant has so much white that it's picky about where it lives. It's a slow grower but worth it. It lights up deep shade and looks fantastic paired with red begonia's or impatiens.

I learned my lesson about splitting special hosta's years ago with Great Expectations. This plant used to get me compliments from people walking their dogs on the street. Then I split it. It has taken years to recover and it's still not there. I think it is one of the prettiest hosta's out there but it's picky. Very.

I've read that Hosta Thunderbolt is another variety that people have trouble with as it gets older. So far, for me it's been carefree, and starting to get really big. I love big hosta's in my shady areas because they keep the weeds way down and are great looking, even from a distance.

Slugs and deer both leave Thunderbolt alone.

Liberty is a plant that the bambi's chew on every spring without fail. It doesn't hurt an established plant like this, it just looks bad. In a couple of weeks I will cut off the damaged leaves and it will look like new.

Tokudama Aureonebulosa is a full lush lovely plant that the bambi's love to snack on in the early spring. These shades of blue/green look great with every color that is placed next to it.

Paul's Glory is a massive hosta. A specimen that is super easy to grow and one that grows fast. I've never fed, trimmed weeded or otherwise pampered this big boy. It is easily 3.5 feet tall and even wider that that. You have to plan for a big plant when you plant PG. It killed one of the bushes next to it with ease. Hosta shade is dense, lol.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour of part of my hosta collection. I wish I had a camera and skills that did these plants justice. If you haven't tried hosta, give them a shot, but treat yourself to one of the fantastic hybrids that are out there. They easily beat the ten foot rule and are virtually carefree once established!