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Thinkin' back....or, thinkin' ahead

16 years ago

Below zero temps, snow on the ground and we are thinkin' Spring. Anybody else thinkin' Spring?

All of these photos are from 5/8/07

Blue Vision

Dream Weaver

El Nino

Fire Island

First Frost

Jim Matthews

King Tut

Lakeside Coal Miner

Lakeside Kaleidoscope

Lakeside Roy El

Royal Flush

Thumbelina

Touch of Class

Whiskey Sour

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Comments (21)

bunnycat
16 years ago
I don't have any pictures taken as early as yours, so the coloring is different on my mid-May photos. They were taken on the 17th and 18th.
Touch of Class, with green acorn piercings. Does anyone have a mature one? Must be to die for!

Alex Summers, increases rapidly, great vase shape

Arc de Triomphe. Fast-growing, keeps a bluish green color all summer, even in sun. Edge turns a creamy white.

El Nino. My most favorite hosta. Love the crisp white edge on blue leaves. Stays that way all summer, even with several hours of sun.

Moonlight Sonata. Took 2 more years after planting to develop develop some character. Later in the season the leaves have a shiny, waxy, rubbery look and feel to them.

~Bunnycat
bunnycat
16 years ago
Cowboy, after seeing yours, I am sooooo sorry that I deleted Fire Island from one of my recent orders. Guess I'll have to add it onto another request.

Orange Marmalade. Only one eye last year, increased to 2 eyes this year. Leaves are slow to increase in size also.

Frances Williams, unfurling.

Another Frances Williams, further ahead. Gets more sun.

Revolution. Looks good all season.

Chartreuse Wiggles. A mini or small.

June. Mine darken up as the season goes on, whether in part sun or dappled sun.

Whirlwind. The center darkens a lot later on.

~Bunnycat
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FS New York...anyone been there?!!?
Q
Comments (30)
Faron - since your DW and DD don't want to stay at 4S, take a look at The Hudson Hotel. I think it may definitely peak the interest of your DW & DD. It is a very happening, chic place. A place where you are apt to run into a celebrity or two during your stay. The Hudson has been used for more than a few movies as well as an episode of the S&ATC HBO series and Gossip Girl. While they do not advertise, the hotel is always full. Only in the middle of the hot summer when everyone on the island of Manhattan has escaped to the Hamptons will you find an available room at the last minute. I think it may be just the place to celebrate a 21st birthday in style. Anyhoo, I am attaching a link. Check it out with your DW. It is a bit pricey, but I try to get there at least once a year. I have nothing to do with The Hudson, make no money by endorsing them, just an obsession to go back as often as I can do so. In fact, after looking at their website, I do think my own DD's 21st might be celebrated there. I think the entire vibe of The Hudson is perfect for celebrating a 21st birthday. The Hudson is situated directly across the street from the Time Warner Center, which houses the Shops at Columbus Circle, and a short walk from Central Park. You could walk down W. 58th and not even know that it is a hotel unless you've had the good fortune of a stay. However, behind the long neon light and arborvitae standing in urns, lies a gem! Can't wait to hear about your final plans for the celebration of your DD's 21st birthday. Here is a link that might be useful: The Hudson Hotel
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Put on your thinkin' caps
Q
Comments (11)
More for ya: BACON AND GREEN CHILE ROLL-UPS 8 slices bacon 1 (9-oz.) container (1 cup) bean dip 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 6 (8-inch) flour tortillas 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper 1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chiles Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. In medium bowl, combine bean dip and cream cheese; mix well. Spread each tortilla with bean dip mixture. Sprinkle each with bell pepper, green chiles and bacon. Roll up each tortilla. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. To serve, cut each roll into 8 pieces. If desired, secure each piece with toothpick. Makes: 48 snacks; 24 servings. Recipe courtesy of Pillsbury. Don't remember where this one came from, but it is yummers! BAKED PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD You can serve this with crackers, carrots, celery, or anything else you can think of. 1-1/2 cups mayonnaise 4 oz. jar diced drained pimientos 1 tsp. 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Pour over the meatballs; bake at 350° F. covered for one hour; uncover and bake an additional half hour. Truly, these are wonderful. And for those who like to dunk bread in the gravy, it's the best! Posted at Mimis Cyber-Kitchen by Elinorw 09-25-98. GLORIFIED VIDALIA ONIONS 5 to 6 medium sweet onions 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup sugar 2 cups water 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. celery seed Finely chop or grate onions. Soak onions in the water, sugar, and vinegar for 4 hours. Drain well. Pat dry. Mix onions with mayonnaise and celery seed. Serve with buttery crackers. Recipe courtesy of Ms. Betty Lees of Savannah, GA. One of my personal favorites: SPICED SWEET ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS 1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained 1 (4 oz.) jar roasted red peppers (or homemade) 3 Tblsp. lemon juice 1-1/2 Tblsp. tahini 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper *(I used 1/4 tsp.) 1/4 tsp. salt 1 Tblsp. chopped fresh parsley Blend all ingredients except parsley in electric blender. Process until fairly smooth. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Sprinkle with parsley before serving. Serve with pita bread cut into strips or triangles. Posted by SharonCb at the ths.com Cooking Forum. SPICY CRAB DIP 1 bunch of green onions chopped, including all of green part 1 to 1-1/2 tsp. cumin 8 to 10 oz. crabmeat (canned or fresh) 1 can of chopped green chilies 2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (or Monterey Jack) Sauté the onions, chilies and cumin in a very small amount of olive oil. Add the crab. Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add to the crab mixture. 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BANDITO CHICKEN WINGS 12 whole chicken wings (about 2 lbs.) 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/2 cup butter, divided 2 Tblsp. vegetable oil 1/2 cup taco sauce 1/4 cup barbecue sauce 1/4 cup French salad dressing 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce Cut chicken wings into three sections; discard wing tips. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, combine 2 Tblsp. butter and oil. Fry chicken until brown, about 6-8 minutes on each side. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a saucepan, combine taco sauce, barbecue sauce, French dressing, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and remaining butter; cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sauce is blended. Pour 1/2 cup over the chicken wings. Bake, uncovered, at 300° F. for 15-20 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Serve with the remaining sauce. Yield: 8-10 servings. Recipe courtesy of Gloria Jarrett of Loveland, Ohio.
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OK, Add Your Own!
Q
Comments (24)
Michael, glad I wasn't your mother - she must have gone through many lifetimes worrying about you!! I hear that's the stuff boys do. My sister had 2 but I only had one girl. She keeps telling me that the Good Lord must have known what he was doing when He gave her boys. I watched what she went through and OMG, I'm not sure I could have done it! My nephews, and my cousings (3 boys) all were pretty much like you. They've calmed down now and have families of their own. Wasn't sure the younger one was going to live olong enough to have a family!! They were alwasy good kids though - just mischievous. I'm REALLY getting some good laughs with these posts!!
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The Wisdom of Will Rogers
Q
Comments (2)
Those are some good ones! My sister likes this one-- We can't all be heroes. Some of us have to sit on the curb and clap as the others go by.
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hostahaveum
16 years ago
Absolutely stunning pictures ! Never saw a chartreuse wiggles up close, boy that sure is cute. Now I really need one of those too ... Thanks for sharing ~ Dot
mctavish6
16 years ago
Those photos are beautiful and inspiring. I looked back at my garden shots from Feb. On to see what and when I could be expecting plants of any kind. Here are some. McT
hosta_freak
16 years ago
Just beautiful,McT! The more I see your gardens,the more I think I am wasting my time trying to grow hostas. I think they are just for northern gardens! They grow here,but just not like further north. Phil
hostahaveum
16 years ago
Awesome! I love the way you have the tulips w/ the hostas, the color is just amazing . Thanks for the pick-me-up. ~Dot
hostasformez4
16 years ago
Are most of your hostas either in pots or raised bed gardens?

Did you do all the cement work I see and and did you move in all those rocks by yourself? If so what a woman you are!
I think I'm repeating myself but you have amazing skills for arrangement of plants. My hat is off to you.

Connie
mctavish6
16 years ago
Thank you Phil, Dot and Connie. Phil, I remember seeing GREAT pictures of your plants - go look at them - you'll remeber why you grow hostas!

I suppose it is easier not having to deal with not enough cold weather. Is that why it's more difficult there? It is hot here, even though it's Canada. We're in the interior of BC and summers are in the 90 to 100 or more. The days are long so we have lots of sun. My main hosta garden is on the east side of the house. I use to only plant hostas in the shaded areas. The shade is either from the huge Walnut tree or various evergreens. Gradually I've planted where before I considered there was too much sun. Most did fine. A few had to be moved because they'd be looking ratty by August. This year I moved some to the "daylily" area on the opposite side of the driveway. You can kind of see that in the May 12 picture of the garden. I put about 25 plants over there in among the daylilys. It was quite liberating! They mostly all did very well and it made me interested in that part of the garden again. I'd been letting it go for the most part. I also moved 25 or 30 plants down to the HOT ZONE. That's on the West side of my house on a 3 level retaining wall. It's actually what is the Rose area. It doesn't get sun until one or two o'clock but when it does - wow. Because we're up a hill the sun shines there until nearly ten at night. To my surprise, many of those hostas looked good too. This extra space has me very excited for next year.

Yes Connie, I do all the rock work myself. The ones in the courtyard are small enough to pick up but when I did the part on the opposite side of the driveway with the piles of very large rocks that had been dumped there, I got frozen shoulder - not good. My husband built the wall around the garden. It is built over the old picked fence that was falling apart. He built it out of cement and then I used a finishing cement that I put on by hand and stained to try to look like adobe. I'm in my southwestern phase.

I do grow lots of the hostas in pots for the first few years anyway. It's a matter of buying more than I have prepared space for. I want to see what they look like before I put combinations together. I may regret this but I have no patience for things to look better next year. I put them in where they look good now. If I have to move them later I will. This is particurarly true around the courtyard where we spend a lot of time. I like the look of different heights. I use to put pots right in the garden with some of the perennials that were overgrown. Then the hostas would be higher. It worked but after last year the worry of loosing plants in pots has me nervious. I'm trying to get the most loved one's in the ground and for sure taking every pot in an unheated garage. I'll see what happens next spring.

Thanks for your interest! McT
tsbccowboy
Original Author
16 years ago
Bunnycat & McT - awesome photos as usual.
tsbccowboy
Original Author
16 years ago
Bunnycat, Keep an eye out on eBay for 'Fire Island', Hostabargains may have one there next year. I purchased a second one from him in '07.

Fire Island
7/2/07

Fire Island
9/7/07, just received from Hostabargains
bluepoppy
16 years ago
Cowboy, I'm definitely looking foward to seeing the eyes peek out and the unfurling phase.

Bunnycat, your Chartruse Wiggles caught my eye too! Moonlight Sontana has great color and shape.

McT, there are no words. Your daffodils and tulips look so pretty in with the Hostas!

{{gwi:913230}}

My FW unfurling.
hostasformez4
16 years ago
I so enjoy all the pictures you wonderful people are posting! Makes me feel like Spring is right around the corner till I look out my window!

I moved all my potted hosta to our utility shed this fall with my Hubby grumbling all the while we did it. I had over wintered in our garaage for years but the hostas always sprouted early and I had sickly yellow green leaves to deal with till I could move them into sun. I'm hoping that they stay dormant longer this way. We'll see.

Connie
yardmom
16 years ago
Connie, when mine start showing signs of sprouting in my shed,(as the shed heats up in the spring, but probalby not as early as the garage might heat up) I quickly move them out to a heavily shaded spot(north side of the house?), preferably with an overhang to protect them from frost. A wagon or wheelbarrow is also good for keeping them in the shade and putting them back in the garage or shed on the cold nights.
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
16 years ago
John, I hope you have that second Fire Island isolated in a pot and have kept it away from the rest of your Hostas. Sure as heck looks as if it has an issue with foliar nematodes. What makes me say that is the interveinal brown spots at the 10 and 1 o'clock positions and the interveinal hole with brown spot at 6 o'clock right on the rim of the container.

Unfortunately I'm only too familiar with foliar nematodes. I received a batch of Hosta trades last year, amongst which was an infected Fire Island, and what your's is showing looks all too familiar.

Here is a link that might be useful: Foliar Nematodes
tsbccowboy
Original Author
16 years ago
Pieter,

Thanks for pointing that out and for all the information on nemotodes. I see what you are pointing out. I will figure out what to do in the Spring.

The plant didn't cost much so I may just get rid of it and keep an eye on the Hostas around it. I planted the entire order of Hostas, which included Fire Island', in an area by themselves.

John
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
16 years ago
John, if you received them potted the others might be OK, but, if like me you got them bare root and soaked them all in the same bucket of water for any length of time to re-hydrate them, then I'd be concerned about having passed nematodes to the other plants. If you want to keep that entire batch under observation for the next year you'd be well advised to make sure they are all in sufficient isolation. That may mean having to re-pot/re-plant them well away from where they are now.

In my particular situation, since I have most of my Hostas potted anyway, I'm making sure to keep the dozen or so plants that have been exposed to nematodes well isolated and under cover so that watering has to be done by hand, rather than take a chance on getting rain water splashing off those leaves onto other Hostas and spreading them that way. You may wish to consider taking similar steps to make sure splashing rainwater off these plants cannot reach the rest of your collection.
Prettypetals_GA_7-8
16 years ago
Hi, Beautiful hostas. I love hostas. What is the ruffly yellow flowers in the picture with the Hirao Majesty and Alligator Shoes hosta? Is it a perennial? Thanks, Judy
yardmom
16 years ago
I'll let McT tell you for sure, but it looks like a begonia to me...maybe a non-stop begonia?
Prettypetals_GA_7-8
16 years ago
Thanks yardmom. I thought it looked like a begonia too. Whats a non-stop begonia? Is it a perenial? Thanks,Judy
mctavish6
16 years ago
Yes Judy (that's my sisters name) - it's a non stop begonia. You can usually find them in any garden center in the spring. They came in all different colors. I got quite taken with the yellows this year since the yellow tulips that had just passed were so nice with the hostas. You can save them by breaking off the foliage once it's been killed in the fall and putting them dry in a paper bag or box. Then go dormant and can be kept in a cold room or even in the house for the winter. Put them in a pot and in the window in March or so and they'll sprout again. Don't bury the corm thing, just set it on top of the dirt in a bit of a depression. If a lot of water comes into contact with where the stem joins the corm once it's started growing, it can rot. These non stop's are bright and cheep. I haven't found that they increase much though. If you buy a begonia corm (I think that's what they are called?) in a garden center in bulk bins like the way they sell daffodils and tulips, those corms get bigger and bigger every year. I've seen some that are the size of a lunch plate. I grew some like that when I lived on the west coast. I had to support them with stakes. Anyway - what a lot we have to look forward to!
McT
Prettypetals_GA_7-8
16 years ago
Thanks McT. I have grown regular begonias but I don't guess I have ever grown or heard of a non stop begonia. I have some real shady spots where some of my hosta grows and am always looking for something new to put with them. I will definitely look for them. Thanks for the info. Judy

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