I used to feel the same as you.
Also, I always felt they needed a deeper shade than what was available in my yard.

BUT then I started seeing others pictures here of their Blues and the beautiful contrast
they create among the more "colorful" hostas.
Although some of them do require a deeper shade to prevent them from greening up,
there are some varities that do hold their blue well.
I am now looking forward to adding a couple of Blues to my yard this year.

Janet

While I don't have many blues, I DO like my Fragrant Blue. I like it for its leaf shape, its colour and how it provides such as nice contrast to the Golden Tiaras planted around it. Where my FB is planted it receives a fair bit of direct midday sun in the summer, but it nicely keeps through to senescence.

This is an easy question.

It's all about contrast.

Nothing brings out the 'blue' in a plant like a bright gold one planted next to it.

And nothing brings out the 'gold' in a plant like a beautiful blue one planted next to it.

Another plus is many of the blues are pest resistant.

hey you hostaholics out there say hello to a newbie Raker

Initially I was not so fond of any of the blues. I have grown to like them and have slowly been adding them. Here is a picture of the contrast that Sassy is referring to:
Sea thunder and Purple Verticulated Elf

You need to bring out more of your artistic ability, contrast is the key as the picture shows,not only with other hosta but other plants as well.Garden tours are a great way to get inspiration, to bad its January. HA HA

I love the blues because they "anchor" all the great blue-toned variegated hosta. A garden made up of only showboats, side-by-side, can look a little chaotic, IMHO. A nice sea of blues, or your favorite greens, with a magnificent showy variegated specimen in the middle will create a more pleasing look for most eyes.

As many have suggested, blue can be an acquired taste. I began collecting a lot of showboats and then grew to appreciate the value of adding solid colored hosta to my gardens. Blues can be fun to grow too. It's a challenge to find the right spot (lighting) for the best blue color (all season). I like blues, my first purchase was a blue, and I am always hunting for the "bluest" hosta.

Hostabuff - if you don't have Pewterware you should look into it. It has a really "different" quality to it's blue color. And Ken recently posted a photo of Sherborne Sonnet(? or something) that was really a good looking blue. It's been around about 20 years.

Teresa, Thanks for the suggestions. I actually have a bid on Pewterware right now at the AHS auction. I will check out Sherborne Sonnet...

Hostabuff - oops! It's actually Sherborne Songbird. Ken posted two different threads that had two different views of the plant. The one where SS was front and center was beautiful!

Ken - could you add that pic to this post for hostabuff?

Teresa

I'm just the opposite. I like the blues, love the variegated blue/greens, but can't get excited about the chartreuse. They always make me think of a plant that is deficient in one of the soil nutrients like iron.

As everyone has stated it is about contrast.
But let me add there are other plants you can marry with blue hosta's. There is alot you can get excited about. Try chartreuse heuchera's, auro creeping jennies, impatients try white, orange and pinks, anything you like that could add that splash of color to anchor the blue hosta. Try it Phil, there's nothing like a big blue hosta and something bright growing under it. There's alot out there to pick from.

hostapumpkinman, I have a friend who is running out of room in her garden and also doesn't like the "blues" she's given me a huge Elegans so I'm happy. I agree with the others that it's often about contrast and the blues are perfect to contrast with the golds. I know what you mean though. A few years ago "purple" folage plants were the rage. I couldn't see it myself though I have a few now - again for the contrast. McT

Honestly, I like them all. There's nothing prettier than Blue Angel, a few weeks after it leafs out, when it's that powdery blue color. Just gorgeous.

I agree. Halcyon reaches almost perfection when you have a mature specimen...so beautiful! I also don't think it gets much better than a mature Krossa Regal...it'll stop you in your tracks!

Well, I love my blues--Blue Angel, Fragrant Blue and Halcyon are the bluest I have! First Frost has blue along with the creamy edge, and I'm sure to love that one as it matures. I also have a newer Elegans, Drossa Regal and Big Daddy and Abiqua Drinking Gourd which promise to be blue! So, I'm happy with the blues! :O)

"Hello" and welcome "Raker"! Sorry we've missed welcoming you--is this your first posting?

Janice

Here are some of my "defenses" for the "blues":

And, I agree that contrasts are the key in presenting them well!