My list...need your opinion.

15 years ago

Here's a list of hostas I'm thinking of purchasing locally and would like your opinions on them. I am planting them around a pink dogwood tree so I don't have to mow underneath it's branches anymore, plus they'd look so purdy there.

Queen of the Seas

Sea Fire

Jewel of the Nile

Restless Seas

Blue Mouse Ears

Fair Maiden

Chartreuse Wiggles

Cherish

Bridegroom

Wolverine

I will plant heuchera and brunnera with these guys as well for added color and texture. Are any of these duds, and what would be a close replacement for any that are?

Thanks.

Karen

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Comments (7)

paul_in_mn
15 years ago
Karen - Some struggle with Fair Maiden - Beautiul hosta for me, but substance does fade a bit in late summer.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: Fair Maiden
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dhaven
15 years ago
Queen of the Seas--beautiful Mildred Seaver hosta, very distinctive, but it might be too large for your dogwoods--this one should be 24 inches tall and 48 inches across at maturity, possibly larger
Sea Fire--another lovely Mildred Seaver plant, good grower and a lovely color
Jewel of the Nile--very popular hosta, large and striking
Restless Seas--actually called Restless Sea, this Hans Hansen hybrid out of Salute is a good grower and has a unique upright form and leaf
Blue Mouse Ears--one of the most popular small hostas, good in any situation. It's a small plant, although not a mini, so make sure it isn't overwhelmed by the larger plants
Fair Maiden--one of my favorite small hostas, stunning when grown well. It can be a bit picky about conditions--lots of light, plant it shallow, and lots of water
Chartreuse Wiggles--this one is not a great grower, although it's an intriguing variety. I recommend you substitute Dragon Tails for a somewhat similar look
Cherish--very pretty, but will probably be lost among the other varieties--it's quite small, and best appreciated in a setting with other minis, also a bit slow to establish. If you want a small hosta with an upright habit (you seem to like the upright ones), think about Lakeside Elfin Fire or Fireworks--otherwise Holy Mouse Ears, Fantasy Island or Island Charm would be good substitutes
Bridegroom--very unique, good grower
Wolverine--another very popular hosta, although I prefer Dark Star, which is similar but slightly more blue and more rippled at maturity
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tepelus
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the information. :) I think I'm going to go with your suggestions, dhaven, and switch out Chartreuse Wiggles for Dragon Tails, and Cherish for Fireworks, or Lakeside Elfin Fire. They look so similar (to me) that I may go with whichever is cheaper. Perhaps I'll save Cherish for another time, and make a bed just for minis. But I think I'll stick with Wolverine over Dark Star. Oh, and I don't know what you mean by Queen of the Seas being to big for my dogwood, the tree is 10ft tall or so, so QOTS won't overtake it.

Karen
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countrygarden01
15 years ago
Hi,
I'm a little concerned about the entire planting under the "dogwood". Can you poke around with a shovel and see how fibrous/tuff the root system is. Dogwood root structures can be different; so you may be o.k.? You can grow there if there are a lot of roots but you will need alot of watering and root pruning of the tree.

Variegated hosta require more water to perform or look better and brunnera will scream/frown at you if you don't keep consistent moisture.

Although I really like your design thoughts and combinations, heuchera,tiarella,lamium and some simple hosta w/ mulch may be the answere.
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tepelus
Original Author
15 years ago
If things don't look like they are happy there, I have plenty of other places to move the plants. I haven't tried poking around with a shovel, perhaps today I'll do that. If it is too compacted with roots, maybe I'll skip the planting around it and just mulch, and place the plants elsewhere. I have a huge yard that needs filling! :)

Karen
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hosta_freak
15 years ago
Country Garden,don't worry about planting under Dogwood trees. They grow very well under there,and I should know. I have lots of hostas planted under Dogwoods,and they are thriving. Sorry,this is for you Tepelus,also. Mine are white Dogwoods,but you get the idea. I do have a pink Dogwood,also,but not in my garden. I agree with Dhavens recommendations also. Phil
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countrygarden01
15 years ago
Freak,
There is a huge difference between a shade/wooded dogwood root structure than one planted in sun/open light. The soil in the woods would also help support hosta underneath them. Sure would seem "safe" to poke around w/ a shovel; and go from there. "Careful planning is half the battle"
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