Mocc, Mary, & Josephine, You have really gotten what I tried to express. This was an experience in FAMILY, TEAMWORK, and LOVE. My friend's husband (who is also, of course, my friend for 30 years) sat in a lawn chair on the sidewalk, holding this grandbaby or that one, watching as various adult family members took turns at hacking away at that viscous clay-y soil and the roots of what I think are holly bushes. Indiana Jones using his machete to clear jungle was a piker compared to my friend's daughter Miril hacking away at the holly roots with the kitchen knife. We really could only cut a 9 or 10" wide trench in this clay, into which I poured bags of topsoil to mix with the clay soil. Without most of the adult members of the family shoveling or hacking at roots, we could not have gotten the hostas & heuchies a proper amended trench in which to be planted. Yeshiva boys who had never held a shovel in their lives were shoveling away like machines at my direction, as I sprayed water on each newest layer of clay uncovered, to make it workable. The numerous little children stood in wonder at our activities, watching as though we were conjuring sunbeams into cookies. They liked "gardening", they said, and wanted to "help". I told them the best way to help is to "supervise" us (if you think I was letting toddlers near $250 worth of hostas and heuchies....). They accepted that and watched. I had to retrieve some balls and other toys which had come precariously close to the tender shoots of the plants, but they didn't. Whew. With all this frenetic activity, overlaid by the dozen-plus grandkiddies all under 8 running around, asking for water, trying to sample the desserts, playing ball, planning the skits to entertain their grandfather, waving from upper story windows down at us--you name it, it was going on--I still managed to follow my garden schematic, clipped to a holly bush, and get the job done. A miracle. Another miracle was how my friends were not the slightest bit fazed at this maelstrom, not missing a single beat as they set up the BBQ and passed around food fresh from the grill. The sense of family and love just totally permeated the whole atmosphere. I have tried to capture this utterly beautiful thing to share with you all here, but it's elusive, like a skittish butterfly, to express. Mocc, WHAT SIZE POT should I plant this Wheee! beauty in? I could put at least a 12" pot next to my 18" pot of mini-hostas (YES!! Holy Mouse has made it back from the 2nd squirrel attack and has 2 new leaves!!). Perhaps the gaiety of the whirling leaves might actually better be showcased up in the air in a pot.

NHL, that IS a substantial Wheee! and I really like the blade width on yours! Welcome to the Wheee! Fan Club! I picked mine up last year at Ego's and even then it was a hefty size ... certainly got my money's worth. It was fun watching it emerge this spring. (was watching Brandy's grow in anticipation of my own, lol.) Mocc, I'm hoping your prediction catches hold - it has so much going for it! Like June, you can grow it in whatever location you like, it IS just a terrific performer! It definitely ranks up there with those "10-foot" identifiables.

Your Wheee! is doing great! I think it is one of those hostas that looks even better potted up. Good luck with the seeds.

A possibility might be voles burrowing and chewing from underground...they make little tunnels...if you press the soil around the hosta and see of your fingers sink a little...look for soft spots which indicate tunnels...about a month ago I had this problem around my clematis...my bare foot detected it. I found some excellent information which may prove useful to you....I bookmarked the sites for my own quick referral. Here they are... www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/SLU8/pdf www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/SLU14/pdf Jamie, I hope you (and interested forum members) find the root of the problem and that you can save your Wheee! Keep my fingers crossed for you :-) Jo