In my limited experience, Thunderbolt starts the summer with a greenish gold center which lightens as the year progresses. The same for Touch of Class and Lakeside Shore Master. They are all beautiful, but Risky Business emerges with a bright white center and stays that way all summer. I have been very happy with all four varieties, but RB is unique in my garden. There is no mistaking it for anything else. This is only its second year at my place, but it came up well and is quite a bit larger than last year. I don't blame you for being smitten. I was too.

get guardian angel .. if you have space for a big one ... pic below

ken
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I n my experience Tunderbolt is finicky...slow grower...pretty but not wildly vigorous. I would choose Risky Business because of it's parentage.
Linda C

I love, love, love Thunderbolt. It always gets comment in my garden. Dont have RB.

I would also go with guardian angel or touch of class if you don't have them

or june if you do not have it

Thunderbolt is one of the best hostas in my yard and certainly has the thickest leaves. It's not green and white...thank god....It's bluish and gold.

I have a large number of hostas and have never been remotely tempted to buy Striptease or any of its ilk.

Hey, you folks are making this harder, not easier! ;-D

I do have 'June' and love it. Am very interested in green with striking white center.

But I can see how 'Guardian Angel' sure would make a dramatic statement!

Please keep your opinions and experience coming!

Thanks,
Judye

Really? I'm sorry, you are missing out on a lot of very lovely hosta.
Guardian Angel is a fabulous hosta...certainly one of my very favorites, but if you want something with a clear contrast, I would recommend Risky Business, as GA sometimes turns all beue late in the season.
Linda C

What I'm saying is that I'm considering Guardian Angel...it would make a dramatic statement! I do want striking!

My options are widening with all your suggestions. I just can't handle too many options! ;-D

Thanks again!
Judye

I don't have RB, but I have Thunderbolt, and it's a dramatic eye-catcher in my garden! The combination of the large leaves with the bold streak down the center grabs your attention. I love it!

I got it from White Oaks, and they did not disappoint.

Deanna

guardian angel leaf pic - my favorite hosta

TOC from 2006 - it has very thick leaves - much thicker than thunderbolt - it is great imo

Check out Dancing In The Rain and Eternal Flame--both very striking.

I would like to put my 2 cents worth in as risky business is one of the most beautiful hostas I have. It really reaches out to you, very bright, clean, and shiny. I have thunderbolt and it is very beautiful, but has grown slowly and it's not white centered. That was a beautiful guardian angel. Mine is now 3 years old and I have yet to see any streaking(at least not enough to really notice) Maybe it doesn't like our climate. Dancing in the rain was a total wash out. It died after 2 years.

Ken, that 'Guardian Angel' is amazing! I was eyeballing one just today. Two smaller eyes, $12.99, what do you think?

I like both 'Risky Business' and 'Thunderbolt'. Both were first choices when I got into hostas recently. For me though, it's no contest, if someone said you could pick just one, 'Thunderbolt' would get my vote. I was just about to start a post saying how much I like this hosta. Oh, what the heck, I think I still will. Dan

I agree that my Thunderbolt is more blueish and gold...not green and white.

Let me put in my two cents worth. I planted a nice sized T-Bolt from Lowes,yes Lowes,last year. It came back this year as a very small two-eyed plant. I have a Dream Queen,which was planted in 2006,and it is huge this year. I think they are close to being the same plant,as far as appearance is,and I would recommend it,without hesitation. Phil

I have both T-Bolt and Risky Business. I love both. Both are very different and striking in its own way. I love how thick and huge the leaves are on T-Bolt. The very thick dark blue green margin makes the creamy yellow lightening bolt in the center really jump out. Risky Business leaves are more slender but the contrast between the dark green and the white is just as striking. My recommendation is... you really must have BOTH! Diane

I have both RB and TB, and like them both. I can't really say I like one over the other... they are both striking in different ways, and are good growers in my garden. Here are pics of both from last year.

Buff

Thunderbolt

Risky Business

I have both plants and agree with all opinions so far. lol!

One thing that hasn't been said clearly, though, is that you are comparing two very diffeent hostas, so it just depends on what you are looking for in a specimen. To summarize what has been said, and perhaps add a little:

Thunderbolt: big, thick leaves, blue-green, slow growing and even finicky for some
Risky Business: thinner, smaller leaves, plain green and white, quite vigorous.
FWIW, here's my Thunderbolt in about it's 4th year, keeping in mind that I think I've been really lucky with this one, whereas RB grows like a weed:
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KN

OK. Good job everyone. You may not have helped Judye make a decision, however you have convinced me that Risky Business should be at the top of my lust list!

Wow KN, beautiful specimen of 'Thunderbolt'! It shows me what I have to look forward to in the future. Thanks for posting the pic. Dan

Wow! This has been great! I may have to get Thunderbolt, Risky Business AND Guardian Angel. ;-D

Thank you for all the wonderful pictures. They really ramp up the fever!

I don't have the budget for 3 hostas this year...but I have eye-balled what I now know to be "Risky Business" in a neighbor's yard...maybe we need to become friends and share some divisions!

Then I only have to buy 2 hostas!

Are there optimal conditions for Thunderbolt to grow well?

Thank you all so much!!!
Judye

I agree that Thunderbolt and RB are beautiful hostas. I have both. RB has done wonderfully and is a gorgeous specimen in my yard, not so with Thunderbolt which I have had in a very shady area. I need to move it as I know it can do better.

Perhaps it would help to make a decision to look at the area where you will plant it. Think about the colors and texture of the two as they are quite different. Which one would go better with what you have? Remember, this is a win-win situation.

My T-Bolt grows very well in bright dappled light most of the day from the high shade of oak trees. Then it gets sun in late afternoon.