What a hot topic to start a thread on. A few years ago I was reviewing what happened since we started shade gardening back around 1997. One of the conclusions I reached is that we had little luck with Lakeside Hostas even living, yet alone thriving. I've read, in more than one place, that Lakeside Hostas were specifically bred to be hot climate plants. Last year, 2010, I spoke via telephone to the new owner of the Lakeside Hosta plants and was told at least twice that when this new owner talked to the seller that she denied that story. It would be useful to verify these circumstances, for history's sake, I think. All that aside, Lakeside Hostas were born in Tennessee so even if not specifically bred for warmer climates, it seems reasonable that environmental circumstances played a part, don't you think? In OUR experience, other factors are in play. We were newbies planting TC punies in poor soil in deep shade in a cold climate under trees with invasive roots. Therefore any whine about Lakeside or any other cultivars, by us, are suspect. We have a few Lakesides that are amongst our faves, and I still work at sneaking some past my wife (recently L.S. Beach Captain is coming on strong, woohoo)! In conclusion, it appears that, at least here, it may be useful to remove the log from our eye before looking at the speck elsewhere. Then again, TN really does have a far different climate from northern MI, and at least some of our original thought that perhaps Lakeside Hosta may be better suited to USDA Zones further south from us may do better. I wish I knew the super-hosta-experts well enough to discuss with them how this topic may relate to the species Hosta in their homeland's varied climate. hh

The vast majority of LS Hostas went on the market, before any had reached the mature stage. So, there were a number of them that failed the test of time. I have tried growing about 20 different ones and all have failed in my garden, which contains about 1000 other Hostas. Other Hosta gardeners in this area have had similar results. Therefore, I will not knowingly purchase another one. There is at least one grower in my area that removes the LS prefix from his stock, hoping, I suppose, that new Hosta aficionados won't know they are purchasing a Hosta that is almost certainly destined to fail! Just my experience and opinion, FWIW. Rb

Hi Phil, I was answering the question from above, from Luis. I grow quite a few of the lakeside hostas and the ones I've grown from wholesale stock, for the most part, have done fine - even tissue culture plants that I received from wholesalers did better (by leaps and bounds) than the originator stock of the exact same plants from Mary. So I was not referring to the lakeside plants in general but the ordering experience, service, and plants I received directly from Mary Chastain.

Like mbug and sherry, I'm wowed by your Lakesides, Vanessa. They are absolutely gorgeous every one of them. Thanks for posting L. Beach Captain. I love the narrow center. I understand again why I was undecided about which to get. Lakeside Love Affaire sure lights up the garden. I'm really starting to like the tricolour hostas. Hope you keep posting pics of your hostas. They're stunning.