toning down my hostas with small blues

12 years ago

I always complain that I have no yard space. For some reason, I went nuts with hostas this year, my latest "garden" fettish. So I guess I'm getting rid of some other plants.

Particularly, I got a lot of yellow or yellowish edged hostas. Sagae, tiny bubbles, satisfaction, etc.

I'm putting Paradigm with Satisfaction, a Patriot, and Second Wind up front. There will be two Paradigms.

On the other side of my walkway, I will also have Second Wind, and Brother Stefan there = he looks like a bright yellow to me.

I'd like to tone this down by adding some SMALL blues - I have Halcyon that I've moved around so many times I don't know the growth at maturity. I'd like something I could "tuck" in front of Paradigm and Satisfaction, as an edger, and I don't know if Halcyon would work in terms of size. If so, great.

I like the form and habit of Halcyon - the shape of the leaves are nice. I was looking at Pearl Lake, Pacific Edger, Blue Cadet, Eric Smith (too large??)...or any suggestions?

Which of these, or others, would fill in a small space and add a subtle contrast to the other hostas, but not draw attention away from the aforementioned hostas?

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Comments (12)

thisismelissa
12 years ago
Halcyon is a medium. Mine is around 40" wide, but is probably not yet mature.
Satisfaction is a sprawler... it gets wide and drapes to the ground. So there won't be any "tucking" under him. He'll just eat anything it his path. Mine is 3rd year and probably 48" across. Paradigm.... ya might have an easier time with "tucking" under him, but he's also rather good size.

Of the ones you mentioned, I only grow Blue Cadet. It's not the same blue as Halcyon. It's more of a blue-green. Consider Yankee Blue, Hadspen Blue, King Fisher, Topaz.

Also consider El Nino. Good grower, has the same leaf shape and color as Halcyon and the white margin will not detract from the others you mentioned.
evermore_gw z 4/5 NB
12 years ago
I like Camelot. The blue is reminiscent of Halcyon, but it grows only to 22 inches wide. I love mine.

Steve
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kimcoco
Original Author
12 years ago
I just went out and measured my hosta. Sounds like Satisfaction grows similar to Albo Marginata? My AM are approx. 43" wide.

The other two solid NOID are about least 48" wide. Ken ID'd this one for me in the past, but I've searched and searched and I cant find the thread. I was wondering at the time if it was Plantaginea, but the scapes are purple so no go. Similar in habit.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm leaning towards Pacific edger or El Nino, so far.
kimcoco
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Steve. Great leaf shape. Another possibility.
paul_in_mn
12 years ago
Pearl Lake is nice with Paradigm, it compliments that edge color - both seem to darken and stay in sync thru summer.

Blue Cadet puts on a nice show when blooming, color contrast and volume of flowers.

Toy Soldier would be subtle and nice size as well.

Victor is a medium and newer, looks to be good grower - with narrow cream center it seems attractive but subtle.

Paul
chris-e
12 years ago
I agree with Paul about Toy Soldier. I also like Topaz and Baby Bunting. And you can always tuck a Blue Mouse Ears in anywhere!

chris
coll_123
12 years ago
Camelot has always interested me, but I'm seriously out of room.

I ended up with what I think is Blue Cadet several years ago when I thought I was buying a second Hadspen Blue. Even though I didn't intend to buy BC, I really love it. It's perfect little plain mound makes it stand out when surrounded by "flashier" hosta, IMO. But I will say that mine isn't THAT small. I'm not sure if it's done growing or what, but it's noticeably bigger than last year.

I also went through an "OMG, I need to tone it down" phase after I started collecting hosta. I think everyone gravitates towards the variegated ones in the beginning. To add more balance yet not be boring, I looked into getting some interesting solid greens. I have a grouping of Lily Pad, Rosedale Spoons, and Manhattan, which is probably my favorite combination in the whole garden...and they are just green!
in ny zone5
12 years ago
I have a few small/medium blue ones, but can not distinguish between Blue Cadet, Hadspen Blue, Halcyon. In the shade I have 2 of them with a beautiful bright powdery blue. Pearl Lake was shown above, I had it once, perhaps I still have it? Confused.
Bernd
hostaLes
12 years ago
I really like the Serendipity I have. They have a nice mound. I believe it is a sport of Blue Cadet with a slighly smaller habit. I don't get many knowledgible hosta fans visiting my gardens but when I have all have commented on them and requested splits - and I have honored them. My two Serendipity are 14 year olds that have survived relocation from Mtn. Home AR to Wilmington IL in 2004.

Les
franknjim
12 years ago
Blue Boy, I like this better than my Blue Cadet.
{{gwi:1047655}}

Fragrant Blue. It looked like Swiss Cheese last year when I had a fountain next to it.
{{gwi:1047657}}

Deja Blu, new for me this year.
{{gwi:1047658}}

Flemish Sky, very slow for me.
{{gwi:1047660}}

Prairie Sky, new for me this year.
{{gwi:1047661}}
kimcoco
Original Author
12 years ago
I think I had ruled out Pearl Lake yesterday when I searched pics on the web and came up with a HUGE specimen. But, I can always divide them if they outgrow the space, right? I really like the look next to Paradigm, Paul, and yours don't look the size of the one I came across.

Fragrant Blue is nice too.

I also jotted Pacific Blue Edger down yesterday.

Maybe GW'ers should make the decision for me!
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
12 years ago
'Fragrant Blue' is not real small for me....

...but 'Blue Jay' is a nice size.

tj

toning down my hostas with small blues

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thisismelissa

evermore_gw z 4/5 NB

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