Hosta collection

Who could have predicted the heat and drought of this summer?  Day after day with temperatures over 100 degrees and weeks with no rain. The Midwest especially has been hard hit.  The drought map shows an ugly red pool in the center of the U.S.



The drought spared most states on the East coast, despite countless steamy days.  Fortunately, the two cisterns that we installed in 2011 harvested the rainwater that fell on the roof and they have never run dry.  Our plants in containers, hostas and heucheras, herbs and ferns, enjoyed a daily dose of rainwater.  And they responded by continuing to grow, despite the heat and humidity.   

In my garden last week, I counted 25 different varieties of hostas.  Many have survived a decade, but half of my collection is new.  During a weak moment last year, I purchased 11 baby hostas during the "we're moving" sale at Green Hill Farm.  Here is a sampling of what keeps our local deer coming back.

My oldest hosta is 'Frances Williams,' a beautiful plant that struggles in the sultry summers of the South.  A decade ago, this hosta was run over by a car when it jumped into the driveway as a 16 year old driver was backing out.  It took years of rehabilitation for Frances to regain her former glory.  She enjoys the dappled sunlight under an oak tree.

Frances shares her shade with 'Wide Brim,' another mature specimen.  Wide Brim forms small cups at the end of each leaf like tiny birdbaths. 

It is hard to appreciate the fullness and form of 'Francee' by looking at a photograph.  Francee enjoys her spot under the dogwood tree beside the driveway.

This spring I decorated the porch with hostas.  The one on the right is 'Sum and Substance,' a favorite.  On the left is a pass-along plant from my good neighbor to the East.

Under the living room windows is a trio of hostas, 'Frost Giant', 'Paul's Glory' and a small 'Wide Brim.'  Frost Giant is in its second year and at maturity is expected to exceed 5 feet in width.

My friend Ellen gave me 'Guardian Angel' to watch over me after surgery last year.

I love the form and foliage of 'Awakening Angel,'  one of the new hostas.

After I heard a hosta expert claim that 'June' is the most beautiful of all hostas, I could not resist buying one...

... although 'Stained Glass' also stunning...

... as is 'Guacamole,'  the parent of 'Stained Glass.'


Three strong growers are in their fourth season.

'Sun Power' is gold for most of the spring and summer, but by August, this gigantic specimen slowly begins to turn green. 

'Titanic' is one tough hosta with broad thick leaves that stand up to the heat.

'T. Rex' is photographed from behind to highlight its upright form, looming over the patio like a carniverous dinosaur.

The award for the cutest name goes to 'Nutty Professor,' a slow growing hosta with petite white flowers in summer.  Here he spills out of a pot of Eupatorium 'Chocolate'  in a pot tipped at an angle, as he is a cliff dweller in his native Japan.  While Nutty Professor has an attractive and unusual leaf form, the real attraction is the name.    

I hope you enjoyed the tour of my hosta collection.  Most of the babies were too small to include, but maybe next year....