Donna,
Your hosta will probably come back better than ever. When they get crushed it causes the "dormant" buds to push; usually increasing the number of eyes (buds,stems) to double or triple of what you had before. There are some variables; patience will tell.

Some may come back; two years ago the land developers put a fence post right through "Big Mama's" heart. I didn't see it until late summer but she came up all around that post!

Char

gilberthwild.com usually has a sale called 'hostas by the handful'. If you are looking for mass planting and names aren't an issue, it's a good deal.
Pam

Pam, took a look at the site, I assume these will be pretty young/small but for someone starting to collect hosta -

-the Hosta Super Start Collection: Get 1 each August Moon, Blue Mouse Ears, Crowned Imperial, F Hyacinthina, Francee, Gold Standard, Honeybells, Krossa Regal, Patriot, Regal Splendor, Royal Standard and U Albomarginata (12 plants) for $36.

All good growers. Add a yellow margined and a big blue to this . . . and wait a year.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: gilberthwild.com

They are bareroot, but their stuff isn't usually small. She said she was looking for a tray of seedlings and I thought this would be better. It's just a good price if all you want to do is fill in a large area.
Pam

thanks, guys. I guess i should have been more specific. I know how hardy hosta are; did I mention that these guys were more than 30 years old? The contractors dug a 3 foot trench & all the dormant hosta & ferns went into the pile, stayed there for January and February, then back up against the foundation. Even with my Hardy Boys, and magnificent soil (did I mention the 300-year old churchyard next door?) I'd be suprised to see anyone survive that. I am checking out the various nurseries you suggested. I don't need anybody new or special; something like Patriots or und. marginata would be fine, so that would keep the cost down. (I am a sucker for variegation.) Cost is a big factor, since we went w/o a salary for 2 months while DH was ill this winter. (Yes, we have short and long-term disability insurance, and, no, they do not pay any claim, ever.) I can't believe I forgot about Gilbert Wild... will check there next.
Keep up the good ideas.
thanks again.
DOnna

Chebella

I would bet that you are in for a surprise. Some of those hosta will come up, given time. Had some work done around my place last Jan 08 and hosta grew in the soil that was moved across the driveway. One was Great Expectations that a lot of people have trouble growing and the other was Canadian Blue.

By the way, you sound like me, I need to have some insulation and waterproofing done around the cut stone foundation of my ?200 yr old house. We have been here 26 years. Moved in Sept 82. House is partway up a hill and the water comes from up back. Had a trench dug but still having problems.

Anyway give the hosta time and they will come.

Betty

Wow, Betty, you don't have a long-lost twin, do you? We Moved in in August '83. (We had only been married 2 months by Sept '82, so we didn't want to rush into our first house...esp. as we discussed our philosophies of marriage on the 1st date, and named the children on the 2nd! This is true.) Do you have eggshell mortar (or what remains of it around the foundation stones, with chinks big enough for a moose to sneak into the basement?
I'll keep my eyes open for the resurrection of the Hardy Hosta Boys. I have a feeling that some of that fern spore settled back on the surface. I will indeed be patient for the hosta. Tho, if truth be told, as faithful as they were...they were more than a little boring. Just plain mid-green. All of them. Up until now, I could not justify yankin' them out just for a bit of variegation, or quilting or undulation. But now, I have a great excuse!
If I don't go with a Gilbert Wild collection (the prices are very tempting) perhaps I should do a "Revolutionary War" theme. The original house on the site was burnt down by the British during that conflict, as the basement was used to store ordnance, and the kitchen used for strategy meetings. (George Washington did *not* sleep here, as he had a friend down the street, but he did meet for planning sessions in the kitchen!) The current house is the 3rd on the site (prolly on the same foundation too!) built in 1870.
Let's see, there are Revolution, Patriot, Loyalist, Liberty, Independence...what else fits the 1776 theme?
Thank you for your post & encouragement.

Donna

Revolutionary War did you say!!!
I live in a Loyalist Town settled in 1783, Birchtown home of the first black settlement is just 5 minutes from the Town. (Although my family is French Acadian- where the Louisana Cajuns came from after the expulsion in 1755 Nova Scotia). History lessons here today.

Anyway -- back to the war--sure wish I could send you some hosta. I have Revolution, Patriot, Loyalist, Liberty, Independence, Pilgrim, Old Glory, Pathfinder, and may get a Victory in a swap. Got them just because I like them.

I am growing two Loyalist Hosta for the Loyalist Black Heritage Society in Birchtown, their building burnt down a couple of years ago and they and our Town had 225 yrs celebrations last year, so when they are ready for them they are here.

Also, yes there were and still are some holes in the foundation. Had the old deck taken off last year and new smaller one built. Guy down the road pointed up the foundation above ground, but guess what the gutter above the front door leaked (now fixed) down onto the ground and soaked through and ran into the basement. Will have to dig up and get it fixed. Same thing happened 1 1/2 yrs ago when I had to have a new waterline run from the well at the back of the house.Guess again where the water went. The drain in the basement gets full of the silt that comes in with the water and so I have a submersible pump with a hose out the basement door for the heavy rains.

Old houses what a joy, what a moneypit. But I like it here.

Sorry I raved on so. You never know who you have something in common with. Glad to talk with you.

Betty

Donna--you have mail. Those who say that your hostas will come back are most likely right--they are amazingly tough beasties. I do recommend that you keep a close eye on the area, however. Those plants that emerge very late may well be planted too deeply, and should be dug up and replanted at a shallower depth as soon as possible.

Hi,
War Paint and Battle Star might be candidates for your theme. Check w/ the boys at Naylor Creek Nursery for your plants. They have really went out of their way to please me. They bring Honesty, Value, and Competance to the Hosta World. Really good people.