Maybe it was the cold, wet winter, maybe it's our (relatively) cool spring, but for whatever reason, my hostas are looking great!
The Hostas are Spectacular This Year!
'Golden Tiara' is one of the most dependable hostas I've ever grown.
Even the Coral Bells are looking good!
I divided these 'Honey Bell' and 'Albo Marginata' plants late last fall to create this border.
very nice!!
My GT is Huge too... I really need to divide it, but didn't get to it quick enough this year. Your border of them is gorgeous.
Honey Bells is one i dont have... may have to look into that one.
'Honey Bell' is an old, very common variety that rapidly reproduces. They have an attractive white bloom in August in my garden. They should be very inexpensive if you find them at a nursery, but may be so common you won't find them unless you know someone who is dividing. They are very prolific - I have given away dozens of divisions over the last 6 years and still have over 100 'Honey Bell' plants in various beds around my house - all from about 10 plants that were here when I bought the house in 2000.
ah... that is about the way my summer place is with Lancifolia and Albomarginata. about 60-80 of each.
Beautiful !!
I'm another hosta collector that doesn't have Honey Bell. At this point my gardens are filling up fast, so I'll probably never get it either.
mao
Wow!! I think your garden pretty much proves the concept of creating impact with swaths of color. That's very nice.
What's the big Hosta in the first picture at the top left, behind the row of chartreuse hostas?
Guess I'll be keeping my eye out for some Honey Bell.
Leawood... behind the Golden Tiara, are those SunPower? if so... very nice.
I love "vase" hostas.
Hi Katie!
The large hosta is 'Sum and Substance' - one of my favorites (I have them in several places in my garden.
Hi TCS - yes, the 'Sun Power' in the photo is another favorite because it's leaves are interesting and it can take some sun. I also have this hosta in several places in my garden. This photo is from last year - the 'Sun Power' had faded very light and there are more of my 'Honey Bell' hostas in the background.
This message was edited May 5, 2010 6:02 PM
Thanks for the ID. I thought it might be Sum and Substance, but there are just so many Hostas anymore that I can't be sure. I love the big blue Hostas.
You do a pretty darned good job keeping the slugs and earwigs off, too. I put in Big Daddy last year and so far he seems to do a pretty good job of fending off the slugs.
I use Corey's slug bait each spring. I put it out when the tips of the hostas first emerge from the ground and then do a repeat dose in June. I've read that certain varieties are 'slug proof' but I have several varieties that the slugs consider candy, so I treat them all.
It sure works. Unfortunately for the hostas, I don't use chemicals or pesticides, so mine will probably never be as lovely. :-)
same here... i just use the ammonia and water spray.
Beautiful pix! Love the borders of hosta!
I'm a pragmatic gardener. I try using non-chemical methods whenever possible, BUT if I have to, I use chemicals sparingly to keep the pests at bay.
And your Hostas do look beautiful!
Here is part of the east border that gets more sun. There are 'Sun Power' 'Blue Umbrella' (I think) and 'Honey Bell' hostas with allium, iris, peony and lady's mantle.
Wow. Sun Power pops!
I picked some up last year for my east bed. They look really great right now.
My original plan was to put some purple plants with it... i'm still working on finding the perfect combination.
My favorite color combination is chartreuse and magenta or purple. But I didn't ever think that I could do it with a Hosta and an Allium. What a great idea. And then to put it against a darker green backdrop (or a shade backdrop) really makes it dramatic. What a good idea.
Very nice. I think I'm going to have to look for some of that honeybell!