Top 10 Performers (was I supposed to comment on my original list? I started over):

Phantom (sadly, went the way of the nematodes)
Glory
Lady Isobel Barnett
Tidewater
Rascal
Jade Cascade
Fallen Angel
Chodai Ginba
Rick Rack
Guacamole & Sum and Substance - FAST and always beautiful

Alex Summers
Sagae
Sun Power
Touch of Class
Great Lakes Gold
Victory
Leading Lady
I'm So Blue
Blue Vision
Paradigm
Paul's Glory

Hi evermore;My hostas are mostly from the last 2 years so they are all very young. But so far I'd have to say my all time fastest is 'Aristocrat',said to be a slow grower it has grown 3x its size since I got it in June.'Blue Angel','August Moon','Carnival','Delta Dawn','Earth Angle','Liberty','Krossa Regal','Parhelion','Queen Josephine','Sum & Substance' seem to be at least 2x larger. My slowest is a 'Pizzaz',has one large eye, a beautiful plant, but looks as if it is frozen in time - sadly it has not grown a leaf since June . I moved it to a sunnier location yesterday ,hopefully it will do something now. I also read the posts before picking out my hostas & tried to go w/ the favs of the long time hosta growers. I think I have saved much $$ and learned allot by going w/ the recommended plants. You are so right the "lists" are very important to us newbies. Happy hosta gardening ! ~Dot in NJ.

I have a lot of hostas, but these are terrific this year...

Abba Dabba Do
Sea Prize
Warwick Ballerina
Sally and Bob
Tyler's Treasure (what a looker)
X-ray (this grew like a weed!)
Clifford's Stingray
Ginsu Knife
Montana Aueromarginata
Gunther's Prize (still small, but what a looker)

Donna

Top Performers?

Royal Tapestry
Diana Remembered
Moonstruck
Stiletto
Devon Green
Kiwi Full Monthy
Cheatin' Heart
Fried Bananas
Paradigm
Gipsy Rose

My eyes are as big as saucers. Thank you all so much.

There are several here that I've never heard of. Like ademink, I've already discovered how fast Sum and Substance and Guacamole grow (I would add Gold Standard and Krossa Regal to this category), all beautiful. Big Daddy is another of my outstanding performers this year. But playinmud's list is mostly unfamiliar, and I look forward to finding some of these. You are really a great bunch, which I knew before I asked.

Your personal note is appreciated, hostahaveum.

Off the top of my head.

Komodo Dragon
Abba Dabba Do
Honeybells
Inniswood
So Sweet
Sunpower
Frances Williams
Frosted Jade
Blue Betty Lou
Wide Brim

Hi evermore,

What do you mean by performers, ie. Good growth rate, slug resistance, sun tolerance, etc? Or are you looking for overall best appearance? These would be different lists for me.

M-A

My hostas look great this year. I've been watering more consistently and we removed some lower branches from our trees last fall and this spring. We now have wonderful high shade everywhere.

At the top of the list for top performer I have to say White Christmas! I started out with three and lost two within two years. This last one has been moved several times in the last five years and either it kept shrinking or it just stayed stagnant. Then suddenly this year it has tripled in size!

The same can be said of Big Daddy and Northern Exposure. Amazing what a little water and a little more light can do!
Here's my list:

White Christmas (yea!!)
Big Daddy
Northern Exposure
Plantaginea (always beautiful!)
Frances Williams
Guacamole (gorgeous!)
Elegan (many babies)
Blue Mammoth (also many babies)
Sum and Substance
Whirlwind

Diane (in Central Ohio and new to the forum)

Hi Evermore.

I have only been collecting hostas for the past couple years, so mine are still young/small. I went to the dreaded (LOL!!) Hosta Library and created a list (have you gone there??), then I went out looking for them. Here in NJ there aren't many places that sell anything of note...just the green with white edge, white with green edge, etc. So I started looking on the web. That's when I found this forum and got some good online suggestions. Most of my plants came from ebay from our own Diggin' Dutchman, John and a couple from other sellers with 100% feedback, then I bought from the boys at Naylor Creek and White Oak Nursery.

Enjoy your hunt for hostas!

Donna

Just to answer mainma's question, I think that everyone has interpreted "top performer" as he or she wishes. Personally, I am after the names of any hostas that people find particularly delightful this year. But please interpret the question as you wish.

In my brief experience, I have found that my list of favorites keeps changing, just like these amazing plants. The leaves of many seem to change color and shape as they mature. The fast growers always catch your attention, but there are subtleties in others that can surprise you.

For example, when I planted Christmas Tree, I thought how aptly named it was with its pointed leaves. This year, the leaves are rounding, seersuckering (is that a word?), and turning cup-shaped. Delightful!

It's also a thrill to see that some of the hostas I have are on some of your lists, which means that you love them as much as I do. Positive reinforcement is always good. It's wonderful to have you share your thoughts.

(Must go do some watering!)

Most of mine are this year's newcomers. I was looking over my hosta bed last night and decided I was pleasantly surprised by a few.

Hoosier Harmony-grew well for first summer and looks very healthy
Red Dragon-love the red scapes and it also looks very mature
Gypsy Rose-hasn't grown a ton, but just looks happy,no damage
June-nuff said

I'll hold off judgement on everything else.
Annette

Here is my list:
Good growers
plantaginea
Summer Fragrance
Potomac Pride
Heartache
Tortilla Chip
Moonlight Sonata
Alligator Shoes
New ones I like:
Twilight
Sum of All
Golden Waffles
Frosted Jade
Cadillac
First Mate
Heat Wave
Must stop...I could keep going and going.

I have so many new ones I like. LOL

punky
substance abuse
(oh, how i love kuk's hostas!)
high kicker
sea fire
hidden cove
etc etc

I agree w/ Krossa Regal - it is a fabulous hosta!