That was so inspiring, Les, and melancholy at the same time. I could have written it all, had I the inclination and ability to articulate the philosophy as well as you did. It's taken me 22 years to understand what I've done wrong (plant Maple trees), and what I should have done (amend, amend, amend - I live where the 'soil' is like cement), and oh how I wish I could go back and start over. This was a new subdivision, a 'maintained' community of zero-lot-line homes, but I had to have my new house built on the corner lot because as the entrance to the subdivision, it had the most trees and was the biggest lot. Wrong choice. Being a corner lot, there are two berms so I've gardened on a slant. The trees on those berms are Scotch Pines which, after a few short years, started dropping pine cones and a good wind knocks off so many dead limbs that punch holes in the hosta that I cry. Scotch Pines have a lifespan of about 20 to 25 years. They're starting to die. Then there's the Emerald Ash Borer - those trees provided the dappled shade and are coming down - and oh, I almost forgot the sick ornamental fruit trees that drop yellow leaves starting in June because they were treated too late. Btw, no 'maintenance' people are allowed in here. I cut the grass, what little is left. And I no longer have to weed because as you describe, few weeds grow where there's no light. I have over 400 hosta and fortunately, many which are not on the berms have been used as shrubs against patios and house and have reached over 6 feet in width. The tree roots have choked so many on the berms they will never reach that size and some don't exist any more. I planted Rhubarb and Goatsbeard in those spots. Everything you have pointed out is something I've learned the hard way - and at age 70, I no longer want to wait 20 years until I'm able to see these gorgeous adult plants - if I can still see, that is. I, too, hate mulch - but that's what was put down for many years in the (then) open areas. DH is a golfer, so this is my own agony and ecstasy. He's felt sorry for me recently and made some burlap shades to put up over the blues so they keep as much wax as possible in disgusting 98-degree heat like today. Looks like hell for a day or two - but I hang on as long as I can. And I've had to sneak away a lot of grass (he loves it) and rake away a lot of mulch, but I've finally got the 'look' you describe - most hostas either touch or hug each other. We are now about to put this place on the market and move to Colorado where I will hopefully do it as right as possible even though I know it's not the climate I need (or want). I doubt I'll ever find another obsession I love so much as this. But I might have to. Know anyone who wants to buy a pretty house with a hosta collection? It's close to being what you describe - just a few more adjustments ... and maybe one more hosta. Westy

You guys are knocking the top out of GWeb's server, I betcha. What a hosta marathon thread. Confused Angel....with the ferns, Mac, I think that is one of the best photos of it I've seen, and now I would love to get one of those. Sigh....so many hostas, so little time/room. Santa, yes, one went heat dormant in 2012. None in 2013, but so far 4 in 2014. I'll do another thread on that one. Could not get my computer to respond last time I was on, and gave it a break just turned it on after dinner. I was out working heavy duty all day in the garden, shuffling things around so the better looking plants had what they needed, the wimpy ones could go to ICU, the bloomers all get close together, and the whole place get refreshed.

ohhh I use to have a big old blind in the shed... i wonder if it is still there or if hubby threw it out, that is a good idea b/c i need something large enough to write the names for me to actually see! (I tried plastic knife / spoons once and no go, too small. Since these are garden flowers I want to eventually turn the markers into "garden art" with a purpose. I like the idea of beads on wire with beaded names, I could have nicer beads!!! of course there is painted rocks, but it would take time to find large enough rocks and then hand paint them all (and I would want a design along with the name) This is kind of a cute idea, maybe I could find other more normal garden type animals (birds, frogs, rabbits)

I think you are right Jo, next year will be the year for identification. I do have a mature Striptease and it does look similar to yours. You may have more white lines in yours as you have a sunnier location. Yours are looking great! I don't think my Striptease had that much white in it when I first purchased it. Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos back then. Hard to get clear results comparing a mature hosta with an immature one. Thanks for all the photos! (I think the petioles look different when comparing, don't you?) Babka, it was a good idea to check the Hosta Registry. I hadn't thought of that. I went to the Registry to have another look. Sparse information on Striptease. I guess they weren't into that much detail in 1991! I noticed something else: apparently the leaf vein count is different for the two hostas. Striptease has 8-10 vein pairs and Snake Eyes has 6-7. So I went out to count. My Striptease has 9 and my Snake Eyes has 6. So I thought so far, so good. But now as I look again at the Registry I got it wrong. Is the Registry wrong? It says that Striptease has 6-7 veins (but mine has 9!) and Snake Eyes has 8-10. What is going on? Can you count how many vein pairs you have on your Striptease Jo? I thought I had picked up on a significant difference between the two hostas, but Striptease can't be correct could it? And if it is not, would the Registry not have corrected this by now?