YOUR Why isn't this more popular? Hosta
I'm sure everyone has a hosta (or two!) that just takes your breath away, but no one ever seems to mention it on the forum. I thought it would be fun/educational/enabling to post one of your hostas that, every time you see it, just begs the question: Why isn't this one more popular?
Here's mine:
Bluetooth, a 2011 intro from Beilstein that just amazes me:
Mine is only 2 years old, so still small, but it will be large in size, when it's all grown up. It is so unique in the shape of the leaf, here's a closeup:
and it is sooooo blue! Not sure if it will hold the blue, I'll find that out this year, but the spring blue, at least is the exact same color as Prairie Sky. I know several of you are familiar with Prairie Sky's gorgeous powder blue color. Look at Blue Tooth paired against a green:
So, what's yours?
Comments (46)
don_in_colorado
10 years agoHi, Funn...
It's not exactly unknown to hosta people, but 'Spring Fling' is what I thought of when I read your post. It may have been popular in years past, but I don't know. (registered in 2000) SHOULD be popular now, in my opinion.
'Bluetooth' looks really nice. I see it's rather new. Give it time, maybe it'll get popular. You can say you had it before it was cool. ; )
Don B.
mikgag Z5b NS Canada
10 years agoRelated Discussions
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10 years agoMy first thought went to Fortunei Aureomarginata. Mine is in it's second year and it's colors are electric. It was a $6.99 plant from Lowe's last year.
bk
This post was edited by bkay2000 on Thu, Apr 24, 14 at 21:18
jadie88
10 years agoBluetooth is a nice one! Amazing how you really see the blue by contrast.
The first one that came to my mind is 'Fair Maiden.' This is Don's picture...I was looking for the single leaf shot, but this is actually the one that sold me on it. I love the grayish green streaks through the variegation, and it has tripled in size for me over one season.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years agoNot really breathtaking, and perhaps its slowness (its a tokudama) or the ugly pics in the Hosta Library (the last pic is a good one) keeps it below the radar, but I always wondered why 'Blue Shadows' isn't more popular.
tj
User
10 years agoDon sold me on Fair Maiden also. I really am pleased to have it, in the bunch which arrived today.
One that I always find photogenic, and take lots of pictures because it is gorgeous, is Mariachi. Maybe it will rise in popularity. This is it last August 2013
and now here it is this April 2014. Looks as good as the other major fragrant variegated hosta, don't you think?
It is a sport of Guacamole, a chimeral reversal. What's not to like?
paula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agobkay2000
10 years agoI know why So Sweet is not that popular. It's an older variety.
I walked out to water the hosta this afternoon, after trying to rearrange hosta to get some shade. It's been a difficult day. I have an empty slab, stacks of lumber, lots of tire tracks, trenches everywhere and there was So Sweet. It's just a really nice hosta, especially for the South. It is sassy and curly and you know right away she's a girl. She's a beautiful hosta. I can't wait to meet Kevin Vaughn.
bk
Mary4b
10 years agoEvery time this type of post circles around, I have to add my favorite old standby, Shade Fanfare. To me, this one should be called "Spring Fanfare".... because I LOVE it when it's in this stage here...basically when the tulips are in bloom.
Is there a day or two in your garden that you look forward to every year? This is one of my favorite moments each year... with everything in my yard that has come and gone, watching Shade Fanfare spread open is like welcoming back my dearest, most dependable friend.
jadie88
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agoMary4b
10 years agoThank you Jadie & Paula.
Paula, no I just grabbed the photo out of my files. I think that was 2007ish, but every year it's very dependable for me and always looks great unless we have very bad weather at the exact moment. The hosta always looks like this when the single late tulips are in full bloom, so that will be much later this year than most, I imagine.
As a side note, if you ever have to recommend a landscaping hosta to someone who isn't really a gardener, I think this is a great one to recommend. It looks very nice all season long and can take a bit of sun.
paula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years ago
thisismelissa
10 years agojadie88
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agothisismelissa
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agohostahosta
10 years agoNight before Christmas is never mentioned. It is reliable every year, just the right amount of white center vs. green margin. Elegant, but noticeable.
Love Bluetooth. Very different.Deeply impressed veins.
hosta_freak
10 years agoharryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
10 years agoHere it is Bressingham Blue. A great blue hosta which is my biggest by far. I grow Blue Angel, Elegans and Krossa Regal. Love all three. But BB is tops here. I'm surprised it is not grown by more of you.
thisismelissa
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agomctavish6
10 years agoI agree the suggestions above are great plants. One of Phil's unsung beauties is Eventide. Even though it's similar to Spring Fling there looks to be a difference. I don't have it but some day one will find it's way into my hands.
Here are a few of the hostas I always wonder why everyone doesn't grow.
Cool Hand Luke - Maybe it needs to be seen close to be appreciated but I love this one for it's difference in having a tiny margin and indestructible quality.
I got Ophir the same year I got Fire Island. Both are bright yellow in the spring turning light green. Fire Island is great but Ophir has grown larger, faster and stays more yellow. That is probably because it's in sun which Fire Island isn't.
I've posted this one quite a bit. I was debating between Clovelly and Ruffed Up one year. Surprise, I bought both. Ruffed Up has performed much, much better and I love everything about it.
Incoming is wonderful through all the seasons. The picture was taken in early October after spending the summer in hot, afternoon sun.
jimr66
10 years agoA mature Jade Cascade is both awesome for size (Montana heritage) and cool leaf shape. very rarely mentioned or seen for sale but 1 of my favorite green hosta (along with Niagra Falls and Lakeside prophesy)
hosta_freak
10 years ago
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
10 years agogardenweed_z6a
10 years ago
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
10 years agoI haven't got access right at the momet to a picture of a it in a larger container, but I do think 'Tick Tock' deserves better exposure. Reminds me of in immature 'June' in shady environs.
Pieter
don_in_colorado
10 years ago
Eleanor B
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agodon_in_colorado
10 years agodon_in_colorado
10 years ago'Lakeside Kaleidoscope' is a favorite; I've no idea if it's ever been well-known.
Don B.
paula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agodon_in_colorado
10 years agoMadPlanter1 zone 5
10 years agoMary, I think one of my NOIDs is Shade Fanfare. I've always liked it, will have to see if the flowers and scapes are right and give it a label if they are.
Bressingham Blue looks like it's going to be a monster! I might have to move mine, as it's planted a foot from a fence.
It's not really that different or unusual, but I've always liked American Halo.
mctavish6
10 years agopaula_b_gardener 5b_ON
10 years agoflowerchild59
10 years agoI have several favorites that are so beautiful. One of them is Katie Q. I bought it because it is my daughters name.
brandys_garden
10 years agoI guess mine would have to be Summer Breeze? Lots of compliments on her and people asking what she is. She is definitely eye catching, that's for sure. Her and Grand Tiara. But from what I understand, the tiara's are very popular?
don_in_colorado
10 years ago'Lakeside Cindy Cee' is a great-looking hosta of that I've just become aware. I'm happily surprised it's not hugely popular. Heh heh heh. It's the spitting image of my Aden-420 and Aden-553 hybrid.
This is a pic of Steve's plant, Taken by Steve. So he says, anyhoo... Aren't you going out of town for a few days next week? I can water your gardens if you like, Steve. Hostas take lots of water; I could be there to make sure they get all they need, young man.
Sincerely,
Pauley AdenP.S. I heard you have a Stingray hybid that is simply DEVINE. I'll have extra TLC for that strapping young seedling. Needless to say ; )
thisismelissa