A Summer Song

10 years ago

Trees swayin' in the summer breeze
Showin' off their silver leaves
As we walked by

Link below to A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy ....sorry have to skip ad.

Color Festival (for Vanessa) - center brightened up to show off third color

Rainbow's End - this one was lost in my west garden where things go to get smaller and disappear - moved it to east garden in morning sun and already it's happier. Same bed as Irish Luck....wonder if there is a hosta Pot o' Gold - sounds like a theme garden.

Spring Fling - have a feeling it is gonna eat my path soon. A bright wide margin big leaf with ripples - what more do you want.

Rhino Hide - covered in morning dew, so color is a little off. Planted in 2010 and leaped this year

Pamela Lee - nice small hosta that will fit anywhere. Center and margin will both darken thru season but still contrast.

October Sky - planted late in 2011, small/medium vase shaped Don Dean plant - so should hold color late (October?). Still very immature.

Liberty - what margins and center pattern. This one get morning sun.

Harpoon - best it has looked, took quite a few years to get happy. Has some yingeri, so has spider-like flowers.

Great Expectations - planted in 2011, so far growing well.

Gold Standard - likes all the rain.

Fragrant Bouquet - surprised this one is this far along, does better in the heat of summer.

Allegan Fog(less) - fog doesn't seem to arrive till later in summer. As good as I've see this one grow, it struggled last year and looks much better this year.

Thanks for looking.

Paul

Here is a link that might be useful: A Summer Song - Chad and Jeremy

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Comments (19)

Ludicious Acres
10 years ago
Paul you never cease to impress, good show !!!

There is in fact a hosta named Pot of Gold . . . it is the all yellow sport from Rainbow's End.

I know Hallsons has it listed this year in their catalog, haven't checked any other retailers though.

Thanks for sharing :)

Ludi
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TheHostaCottage
10 years ago
Thanks for the Color Festival picture. It's gorgeous!
Vanessa
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Buy summer song?
Q
Comments (17)
How is the US so different from England? For one thing, latitude. Much of the US is south of the latitude of the British Isles. That changes the angle and intensity of the sun and its effects on color development and retention. The differences in color of the same variety on the same rootstock between two places such as here in KC and Milwaukee, WI, for instance, a place farther north, are quite noticeable. The color difference between Milwaukee and Seattle, close to the same latitude but different climates, is not that much. England is also not so big that the ocean air effects are completely lost on the interior of the country. That is not true here. A humid continental climate such as most of the US has wider temperature variations than a coastal marine climate. As for any states in the US that have a climate similar to England, northern Oregon and Washington west of the Cascades are quite British-like. Roses that do well in England do well there. Some of them may do okay in the Midwest, but not many of them. If I could suggest one alternative, I would have a look at Palatine's catalog and look at the Kordes variety Summer Sun. That one might be okay. I am not growing it, but it would be on my list to try if I have the space and my Summer Songs kick the bucket. Just my suggestion, for what it is worth.
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Boscobel, Lady Emma H., Summer Song, L of Shallot
Q
Comments (11)
I actually have all four of these varieties. This is the first year for Boscobel; it is trying to establish itself although it has bloomed a few times. I'm not sure what the verdict will be on it yet. Lady Emma Hamilton is a nice variety. It blooms regularly although not in large numbers of flowers. It has more of a semi-constant trickle of beautifully colored, blended orange flowers with a very nice smell. It sprawls sideways rather than get tall. Lady of Shalott is a heavy flowering variety when it gets established. It also gets quite large, tall and wide. It has the most flowers of any in the Austin orange group. Summer Song does not care for the heat. Mine have done a bit better this year than usual, but that is not saying much. Our weather last May included a freeze that clobbered everything. Summer Song's flowers were not all that nice this year although rebloom happened, and the flowers were quite small compared to what they are normally like in spring. The bush gets lanky with some long canes. The flowers are a pretty color and have a nice fragrance, but I would not recommend this one for my climate. If you are leaning a bit towards apricots and want an Austin variety, I would suggest also looking at Carding Mill. That one is a nice one. I hope this helps.
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Please compare: Lady Emma Hamilton, Carding Mill, Summer Song
Q
Comments (24)
I have all of the Austin oranges - Pat Austin, Lady Emma Hamilton, Summer Song, Lady of Shalott, and also Carding Mill. My Pat Austin has shown rose rosette disease, but is responding favorably to aspirin treatments at the moment. I'm hoping for the best on this. It does bloom nicely, but the flowers do not take our summer heat. The bush gets quite tall. It does have a good color, but, again, the flowers fry easily. Lady Emma Hamilton does not get to be a tall bush. It is more spreading. It does not bloom in large amounts of flowers at any given time, but it has a fairly steady supply of nicely fragrant flowers. It is the most consistent performer of the oranges that I have. Summer Song was quite pretty in the spring. For summer all three bushes of it that I have didn't do much of anything. I noticed that a couple of them were munched on probably by deer. Something ate the leaves off of them as well as part of the stems, and I have seen deer in the yard at various points. The first year I had these plants they did reasonably well. This past summer, year two, they didn't care for the excessive heat and just sulked. They did, however, throw long canes. The orange color does fade badly in the heat. They did not bloom much at all in the fall either. I think it was more because of the weather. Lady of Shalott was pretty its first year. It seemed to be going along okay growing and flowering most of the way through the growing season. It pretty well stopped by the end of September, but it had a couple of flowers late. I think this bush will get fairly large. Flower size has been on the small size. Perhaps it will improve some next year. Carding Mill does reasonably well, but the flowers have been on the small side. It can get to be about 5-6 feet tall here. Its growth habit is fairly cylindrical and doesn't spread much. The apricot color bleaches out to a pink in the heat. Otherwise, overall it has been reasonably consistent here. I have no major complaints about this one. I hope this helps a bit.
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Which Austin would you pair with Summer Song?
Q
Comments (2)
Anything but a pink one is what I would say to that question... the orange colour can be quite strong, and I just think it wants something more contrasting,... red/white/purple/yellow... not pink...
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paul_in_mn
Original Author
10 years ago
Ludi, Pot of Gold looks interesting with shiny leaves, thanks for checking.

Vanessa, I moved it this Spring as others were filling in around it - hasn't missed a beat to more sun so far.

Paul
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newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
10 years ago
Love seeing your pictures, and your comments!
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User
10 years ago
Appreciate the Harpoon picture. It has been on my radar for a while since you mentioned my Sam Spade looking similar. I lost my yingeri species hosta over the winter. Perhaps Harpoon......
because I NEEEEEEEED the spider flowers!

Thanks for the treat of so many new pictures with comments. Color Festival looks impressive.
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josephines167 z5 ON Canada
10 years ago
Paul-thank you for brightening my day...have awful cold, feel terrible, so thought I'd redirect my focus to hostas...there you were, with some beautiful pics but your segue into it got me humming...we must be in same decade age wise lol...I feel better, albeit temporarily...as I hummed and looked at your pictures.

You have some unusuals...Harpoon is new? I love the crisp look of it. Does the yellow margin fade at all? Hope not as it looks beautiful as is.

Your Grt. ex. Has the coloration for which it is famous...lucky you. Liberty is spectacular, loving the wiiiiiide margins..you have no chewers in your area? Pristine hosta!

You have become one of my faves because of a number of reasons..your hosta and commentary are helpful and informative but above all, your hosta are beautiful, simply beautiful, the setting in which they thrive is to be envied...sigh..and you have some unusual ones I've never heard of.

Anyway, thank you for the lift today, needed it. Jo
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paul_in_mn
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the nice comments, I enjoy taking pictures and always happy to share with my forum friends. I've added many hostas to my gardens and wish list from seeing pictures in your gardens. Really slowed my hosta additions these last 2 years - and have a lot that should be having their leap years soon, so it keeps me always looking forward to next year.

moccasinlanding, Color Festival got better from day 1 and looked great in a pot. Moved to the garden in 2011 and seemed to have fewer divisions in 2012, but leaves were more mature. This year seems back on track with divisions, so not too bad of a setback. Growing in a lot of light but still very fresh looking right now, though we have had few hot days so far.

moc and Jo - Harpoon was planted in 2008, and looking at pics it goes to cream edges in July or so. If I notice a yingeri connection, I give that hosta a second look for the flowers.

Jo - I have an older GE in shade and it doesn't color up as nice and is still 1 division . That Liberty has had wonderful margins the last 3 years - definitely a hosta worth waiting for the change.

Cutworms have been hitting the last week - hopefully they pass soon.

Paul
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don_in_colorado
10 years ago
Paul, your 'Harpoon' (among others) looks great. Between yours and Steve_Mass's, you have inspired me to try again with it. Mine disappeared during the winter, which was a surprise since it was doing well last summer.

Your gardens look fantastic. I look forward to your continued postings.

Regards,
Don B.
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WILDernessWen
10 years ago
Paul, You have a really good eye. Once again, I love your combos.
Thank you, WW
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idiothe
10 years ago
thanks - great pics!

You are right about Spring Fling... just looking at mine the other day... didn't know when I stuck it in that spot that it would get really big...
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MadPlanter1 zone 5
10 years ago
Hadn't seen Spring Fling or Pamela Lee before, love them both. The photos were all beautiful, but those two may go on the "want" list. Also enjoyed the way you've combined big and small hostas.

I got Bridal Falls this year. Before I add Spring Fling, does any one know if they are going to look alike?
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irawon
10 years ago
Paul, thanks for posting those pictures. I'm still waiting for my Liberty to produce wider margins. Yours looks magnificent.

I just planted a Rainbow's End but it doesn't appear too happy. Your comments are very helpful.

I'm really happy to see a picture of your October Sky. I have some open pollinated seedlings in the vacinity of Frosted Dimples and Salute that look very similar. Hope you post more pictures as they mature.

I'm intrigued by the deep blue hostas to the right of Fragrant Blue. They're not Blue Mouse Ears, are they?

Hope you're feeling better, Josephine. A summer cold is no fun.
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paul_in_mn
Original Author
10 years ago
MadPlanter1 - I also picked up Bridal Falls this spring - BF and SF both have montana heritage so I expect there are some similarities. What few pics of BF I've seen, leads me to think its margins may be whiter and end up wider.

Here's a leaf from Spring Fling in August 2011-

Paul

This post was edited by paul_in_mn on Sun, Jun 30, 13 at 22:58
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
for those of you.. who dont know better... technology handicapped and all ...

you right click on pauls link to youtube link... and open it in a new window or tab ... and listen to it.. while you go back and peruse the pix ...

ken
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paul_in_mn
Original Author
10 years ago
irawon- those deep blues are Love Pat seedlings and just above them for comparison is a few leaves of Tokudama. Slow growing seedlings for sure, but getting some cupping. The pale greenish seedling just below them is a Tokudama Aureonebulosa seedling - same age (2010). I was hoping it would be yellow, may have to move to some sun and see how the color does.

Paul
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irawon
10 years ago
Paul, thanks for taking the time to reply. Your seedlings look great. The T. aureo seedling, although chartreuse, still looks good ... hope more sun makes it yellow for you.
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DelawareDonna
10 years ago
Breathtaking!!!!
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User
10 years ago
Love Pat seedlings? Then they will be fertile! Hot dog! I can let her seeds fall and self sow for a naturalizing appearance in my garden. Sure thing, now I know to add Love Pat to my in-ground driveway bed. I'm very cautious about what I put in the ground. In fact, I feel that I am sending my babies on a "mission to Mars" when I put them in the ground.

That is what I consider a dangerous mission into outer space...outside the container, outside the protection of the privacy fence. ....
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MadPlanter1 zone 5
10 years ago
Paul, Thanks for the advice. I think I'll let Bridal Falls grow for a couple years and put Spring Fling on my "maybe" list. I've got too many big ones to add a look-alike.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the two once you've had them a while.
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A Summer Song

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