Wow, love all the input and the photos! My trip to the nursery on Saturday was a disappointment as far as Hostas were concerned. I was pretty tired by the time I got to that section and it had started to get really warm in the greenhouse, so I didn't look as close as I might of. Plus, their Sagae was horrible! It didn't resemble Sagae in any way. There was no variation on it at all that I could notice and it did not have the shape I associate with it. So, once I saw that, my trust in the quality of the stock they were getting their divisions from was non existent. I will be in the market for hostas this year. I need about three new ones. I am very happy for all the recommendations, because I am not knowledgeable and up to date on which varieties are worthy of bringing home. Since hostas are fairly expensive these days, I would like to avoid being disappointed. I love some of the recommendations made. Has anyone seen 'Magic Fire' which is also a sport of Sagae? Or 'Fire Island'? I will be busy looking up info on all of your suggestions..lol. Thanks very much.... pm2

Oh God. I was at the lake yesterday playing with my hostas and putting edges around the beds and finding old logs or whatever to also put in bed. I have quite a few Guacamoles from last year that I divided to make many. I think nine from one plant. I came home and started reading on the guacamole and fudge this is a huge plant!!! I've planted too close and space is limited at this cottage. hahaha might have to give some away as they get bigger, or rip down sheds!! LOL.......or put two back together??? Its the cottage and these plants are thriving well they get good sun in morning and early afternoon and they are getting so much bigger in just one year from me dividing like crazy!!! Woah!!! Michelle

You people are awesome....again thank you so much for the info... Ademink...you are too funny! Thanks for putting a smile on my face today! The hosta garden I am TRYING to create is larger than the picture shows...actually the picture is only half of the garden....there are 3 old large pine trees in a row (maybe 40 yrs old?) so I could plant that Pauls Glory far away from the rest and put a sign beside it to remind me....I have to keep signs on each one I plant cuz I would never remember who is who.....some that I have planted are Sun Power, Guacamole, Earth Angel, Blue Mammoth, and Blue Hawaii, then at a local garden center (a private one) they had a pretty good sized Jurassic Park...I put that in the back.... Then my neighbor down the road (I live in the country) has a 3-4 yr. old Sagae she said I could have.....I think I will wait until fall/ spring and transplant that... You people have been so helpful and I read all the info on this forum site....without this forum....my hosta garden would be in a sad state of affairs..... Geez this is addicting! :)

UPDATE Ack - well, I'm still scared about the LG - but let me tell you where things stand. Thank you all for your advice - I was reading everything before I went out yesterday afternoon. Checked out the Whirlpool Duet, Sports, Bosch and LG yesterday. Thought I was decided on the Duet from a local appliance place until I checked out the LG at Best Buy. In part b/c the LG is about 2" less deep than the Duet (and therefore a better fit for our space - the Duet would just fit - if it fits at all) - we decided to go with the LG. Decided to bite the bullet and go with the 2487 - for $300, let's get STEAM! Well, we need a machine right away and the 2487 was on backorder and couldn't be delivered till March 18 - unacceptable! So - long story short(er) Best Buy brought the price of the 2688 washer and dryer down to the price of the 2487 (plus $40)! How could we pass that up? Plus 2 years 0% interest and $250 off to match a sale at Home Depot! The price of the 2688 came out to $1149 which I think (correct me if I'm wrong) is a great price for the 2688. Pedestals were $179.99 each! (we decided not to stack) and I need to see if I can find them for less anywhere. Of course, now I am still freaking out over the amount of $$ this will be and wondering if I should (a) - just go back to a much less expensive - but good top loader or (b) look for a less expensive frontloader (maybe the LG 1812 or WM 0462 recommended by consumer reports) - I never imagined I would even contemplate spending so much on a washer/dryer. I figure I have until tomorrow to cancel the order (washer being delivered Wednesday) and I am still SO CONFUSED! Any additional advice welcome - I really don't *need* all these bells and whistles - going to think long and hard today about whether there is a less $$ FL out there that would still suit our purposes. (as cool as steam is - we just don't *need* it). Thanks for all of the advice so far and I'd appreciate any other thoughts and comments! oh yeah - dross - I agree with you that I'm not counting on 15-20 years which is why I am so freaked out by this purchase. For this price - this thing should be folding my clothing and putting it away for me! Thanks all!