Canadian Gardening: What's happening in your neck of the woods - 2013, 2 by ViolaAnn

ViolaAnn wrote:
Yes, Betty. It's still a concern and I wouldn't trust anyone except a qualified hosta nursery to ensure that their stock has been tested. You still see many infected plants at places like Canadian Tire and box stores. Besides, I've never seen actual plants from Vesey's that were worth ordering.

Unfortunately, if a hosta did stay white, it wouldn't live very long. It needs the chlorophyll in the leaves to survive. And those that have a lot of white usually grow much more slowly than those that don't. If you like a lot of white, you might consider some of those that have small green margins -

1. 'Ghost Spirit' - some of the leaves will get a bit misty as the season progresses, but it mostly stays white centred.

2. 'High Society' lasts well through the season. Yellow centres when it emerges, but it turns white. Not bothered much by slugs.

3. 'Janet' starts mostly green and by the end of summer is pretty white in the centre of the leaf.

4. 'Lakeside Elfin Fire' is a mini with a lot of white that grows quickly for a plant with that much white.

5. 'Loyalist' has a lot of white and looks good.

These are just a few suggestions. If I have more time (not today), I'll look up a few more.