Hardiness of Sagae vs Liberty

12 years ago

I have too big a garden to protect everything (thank goodness not all hosta have unfurled). But I'm particularly interested in Sagae and Liberty (a sport of Sagae). In my garden, they're 5 or 6 feet apart in exactly the same sun and protection. Sagae has had some slight evidence of frost damage; Liberty is hopelessly frosted with every leaf withered. Genetics surely can't explain the difference since they're only one generation apart. And I promise, the conditions are identical. So, how can you explain the dramatic difference in frost response? Nance

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Comments (13)

Johnsp
12 years ago
Tomahawkclaim because it is a sport does not necessarily mean it shares all the same characteristics. Some genetic mutation occured to create Liberty which is why it is a bit different. Likewise my Sagae has faired well in the cold here in NE Pa as well as Liberty. Even though all Liberty Hostas are related no matter where they are as all came from original OS via TC each plant has at some point mutated to survive in it's particular environment whether the change is visable or not.

Scott
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
all speculation here ... just stream of consciousness

think in terms of color.. in a leaf ...

hardiest tissue is the green or blue [and i bet the wax helps]

then the yellow..

and a puff of wind will mar the white ...

sooo.. doesnt liberty have excessively more yellow that momma???

plus what he said ...

ken
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there is a theory.. that tiny plants.. enjoy being pot bound ... and potted up.. [we always not a tiny plant in a giant whiskey barrel and in doing so.. you can force the equivalent of 2 or 3 years growth out of them [and that isnt much on a tiny plant.. lol] ... unless .. as in my case.. you forget about the pot.. lol ... each time you up-pot.. you use fresh media ... and every time you water.. you use a gallon milk jug of diluted soluble fert ... 25% strength???? ... and then shove it back in the ground in mid sept or so ... in my experience.. if you leave it in the ground.. it will NOT be there come spring .. i have a row of pots of various things.. out the front door.. in VERY bright shade ... so that every time i walk out there.. i an think about them ... a pot nursery.. if you will ... [i also have about 50 plants out in the garden.. that look like yours] ken
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Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
Over all, my Liberty has not done as well as Sagae. No frost problems here, just slower growth and not as happy to be in a pot. I wonder if I just got a dud the first time around back in 03? I got a second one this year, and perhaps it will do better. I believe that when young, they look practically the same, with those wider edges coming with age.

Babka
in ny zone5
12 years ago
I have 2 Liberties since August 2009 and never had a problem with them. Both were multi-eye when bought, and they are growing fine. Last year one Sagae got partial crownrot, but another one planted last year has 5 wonderful big eyes showing. That's my experience.
Bernd
Johnsp
12 years ago
As I was saying plants will adapt but may take a season or two. Last month when many of us had the really warm temps then got cold only two of my hostas got really damaged. Those that did not are primarily from NE wholesalers. So is it possible that these plants are more used to the cold and can tolerate the colder temps here including frost than say one which came from a much warmer zone. Frost is possible here tonight so I've left the hostas just received from Naylorcreek uncovered to see what happens to them if I get frost.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
Over all, my Liberty has not done as well as Sagae.

--- and might that be.. because it has less green to photosynthesize sunlight ...

put it in more sun babka

ken
Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
The difference in edges is barely noticeable on my plants, but I'm willing to try anything to get a better growing Liberty. I'll move her. Thanks, Ken.

-Babka
ctopher_mi
12 years ago
Hi Nance,

There may be no explaining it. I have rows and rows of hostas and out of 20 in a row, two or three might be toasted and the rest almost undamaged. I have 3 sections of Red October, covered two, yet the third, uncovered row did the best.

Objects in the garden can radiate heat, so a hosta near a tree will be more protected than one two feet away. Or the opposite could happen, that a tree blocks a warmer breeze and frost settles on the side that wasn't getting a breeze.

There are so many different variables that you may never fully explain it, other than yes, 5 to 6 feet away can make a difference.
claydirt
12 years ago
Will a hosta (sagae in this case) recover after it has been turned into puree by the hard frost? Yet this year? Would this be a good time to move it? Loss of root mass shouldn't be an issue if there are no functional leaves, correct?

In this case, Liberty was protected by the front door with a cover. Sagae was on its' own in a back yard low spot. [Young Ginkgo trees are all puree as well. Will they recover?]
Steve Massachusetts
12 years ago
They will recover. If it were me I'd move Sagae in the fall and leave it where it is for now. If you move it now, it will be fine, but it's just another stress factor for the plant to overcome. Leave it alone until all risk of frost is gone then remove all the dead portions of leaves. Leave anything that is green and healthy (it's making food for the plant). Once you have a new flush of leaves (these may be slightly smaller than usual) remove any unsightly leaves if you wish. It will come back again next year in full glory.

Steve
anniegolden
12 years ago
Here are my Sagae and Liberty, growing side by side. Photo taken this morning.

Apropos of hardiness, there has never been a frost problem here, but Sagae emerges and unfurls a few days earlier than Liberty, for whatever that may be worth.
Christine
jan_on zone 5b
12 years ago
Oh Christine -- so pretty, and a great contrast to the azaleas!
Jan
Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
Christine- That a fine photo showing the differences as well as the similarities of these two.

-Babka

Hardiness of Sagae vs Liberty

Comments (13)

Johnsp

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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