Hostas that fade away or never go anywhere

15 years ago

Some hostas, like Great Expectations, Tattoo, Cherry Berry, and _____, just stay the same size for years, gradually decrease until gone, or disappear right away.

I'd like to hear about your experiences with any varieties that meet these descriptions.

Thanks much,

Diann

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Comments (19)

esther_opal
15 years ago
I've had the same experience with those and others, I'm going to address how I "think" you can deal with them.

Pot them for 2+ years in a pot then back into the soil with a jump start, this is not a complete answer but I think some of these are not vigorous enough to consistently do well in the soil.

Except GE that I think has a genetic quirk, some individual plants are just never going to do well. I had GE in TC and had thousands, many just wouldnÂt grow but the ones that do grow well are special. I have what IÂm calling a vigorous sport H.ÂLymanÂ that does well and many others that just sit there. I would buy or get a division from one that does grow well like my Lyman.

If you ever see a good one you have to want it.
ksirah2
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for your advice. Mine had a second eye this year after 4 years in the ground. Felt like I should send out baby announcements!

But really, looking for names. Name those duds, please! (It's for a piece I'm writing.)

Thanks much!
Diann
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The two that disappointed me were Loyalist and Cherish. Neither has grown since it was planted in late 2006. Every year, I wonder if they will appear. They do, but they are certainly not thriving.
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15 years ago
Cascades just faded away for me.
hosta_freak
15 years ago
My first Loyalist just faded away,until one year,it just didn't return. I have another very small one,but it is still hanging in. Also Island Charm just kept getting smaller,and it,too,just faded away. Phil
elegans1989
15 years ago
Fire & Ice
Little Sunspot
Remember Me (and I do remember the little failure!)
Masqurade- lost 3
Cherry Berry
Fireworks
botanybabe
15 years ago
Brother Stefan (never grows at all)
Big Mama (has been sitting still with only 3 eyes for 8 years)
Dream Weaver (sitting still with 2 eyes for 3 years)
Zounds (I can never get that thing to do anything but die)
Lakeside Lollipop (never grows at all)

None of the above are dying, except obviously the Zounds, but they all just sit there. They're not getting smaller, just staying the same, year after year, even with applications of epsom salts, and composted manure. This year the leaves on Big Mama did get a big smaller, though the petioles were the same length as last year. I'm thinking of moving her.

Lainey
ademink
15 years ago
Pandora's Box
Cherry Berry
Stiletto
Fireworks
fgoldberg
15 years ago
Twilight and Morning Light - I gave up on one. Still nursing twilight, but it is barely there.
Vanilla Creme - down to three leaves
Lost Cherry Berry and Lakeside Black Satin.
My Pandora's Box is hanging in there and my Stiletto looks great - no problem.
GE never seems to increase, but lives on.
Fair Maiden and Fire and Ice disappoint, but I still have them.
greenguy
15 years ago
I really hate hostas like these. You have to go out and buy another and another and sometimes another..........
aka_margo
15 years ago
Ditto on Morning Light. Also Ghost Spirit and Reversed, mine just seems to get smaller every year.
hostaholic2 z 4, MN
15 years ago
Cherry Berry has been the same size for 7 years, Cherish hasn't grown at all in three years, Cat's Eye or was it Cat Eyes, managed to kill two of those. Ice Age Trail just disappeared. Fair Maiden has finally gone from 3 eyes to 4 this year.
Carole Westgaard
15 years ago
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY?

Westy
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
15 years ago
Cherry Berry
Stiletto

Lost my CB after the first season, received a Stiletto in trade and I'm not saying it's a weed, but it's rather vigorous in its 2nd year.

Twilight and Morning Light - I gave up on one

I'm rather disgusted with my ML, after 4 years it manages a measly 4 leaves and then proceeds to burn out, IN COMPLETE SHADE.
Mark Walker
15 years ago
i've never been successful with 'loyalist'. it came back smaller in the second season and just disappeared this season. i've managed to keep my sixth 'great expectations' growing for a third season, but this season it came out entirely green! looks like a young 'elegans' :) not sure if it will stay that way.... but i've never tried the old "keep potted for a couple of seasons" trick
hosta_freak
15 years ago
Lainey,I noticed with interest,that your Zounds,is looking bad. Mine is just the opposite! Even with the freeze last year,this year it is bigger than ever! I guess it's true some people can grow some hostas and others can't. Phil
dmshostalover
15 years ago
Loyalist has always been slow for me. I've lost a Cherry Berry, Fantabulous, Ice Cream, and my Dream Weaver is slow as well.
Donna
Nettie
15 years ago
All the tokudamas for me. ^Brother Stephan has been growing great but he is right by the bird bath and gets extra water.
elegans1989
15 years ago
hostaholic2- I moved my Morning Light to full sun all day -last year- and it is coming back. I also never water it, It just gets rain water.

Hostas that fade away or never go anywhere

Comments (19)

esther_opal

ksirah2
Original Author

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Hostas that fade away or never go anywhere

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ksirah2Original Author

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ksirah2
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