Ann, I think the word hardiness coming from the mouth from anyone in coastal California is likely to be used in the sense of "toughness and garden-worthiness and freeze tolerant" and not in the sense of winter hardiness that you are accustomed to. I see the reference used all the time in California, even by farmers in the central valley which is largely Zone 9. Winter hardiness isn't ever a factor in much of the Valley unless we're discussing tropicals. Since large parts of coastal California are perfect for tropical plants, hardiness has come to mean, in horticulture, "freeze hardy," i.e. won't die at 25 degrees.

I want to learn about these plants, so I'm seeking to trade for seeds, cuttings, divisions, rollers, pups, starts, whatever. I can't use anything gargantuan in size, but no other limits I can think of. Other interesting succulents are also welcome. I have locally (Long Island, NY) indigenous Opuntia humifusa and Yucca filamentosa, so I don't need species versions of same. Next Spring, I'll have hundreds of divisions of warm and cool season ornamental grasses, both species and named cultivars. This Fall, I'll have fresh seed from many species ornamental grasses. Some cool season seeds are available now. If you're interested in a trade, please email me. donnwest@msn.com Thanks, Donn

For AHS leaf shows, the official Classification List is used which places hostas into one of twelve different sections according to leaf size as follows: Section Classification Section I - Giant-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species Section II- Large-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species Section III - Medium-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species Section IV- Small-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species Section V- Miniature-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species Section VI- Giant-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings Section VII- Large-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings Section VIII- Medium-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings Section IX- Small-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings Section X- Miniature-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings Section XI- Youth Exhibits of Registered Cultivars and Species Section XII- Unregistered Named Hosta Cultivars Leaf Section Square Inches 1. Giant Leaved 120 or greater 2. Large Leaved 64 to 3. Medium Leaved 30 to 4. Small Leaved 6 to 5. Miniature Leaved Source: AHS Judges Handbook, Hosta Shows II-20 and II-34 The AHS Judges Handbook is posted on the Hosta Registry website and this particular information regarding section classification is posted at http://www.americanhostasociety.org/PDF/Section%20II%20-%20Shows.pdf . Currently, there appears to be a problem with the website because the "Show Classification" link is not operable.

The species are well classified. Jeff Smith is the reigning expert and has many articles about them. I have been collecting them slowly but they are not easy to find. Sometimes Violet Barn sells them at fair prices. Selective Gardener is pricey. Sometimes I have seen them on Ebay but not often