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Last shot for Frances Williams

10 years ago

Frances has never done well at my house. She took a real beating this spring with our up and down weather. She gets spring desiccation here, big time. I intend to give her special attention this spring.

The cause mentioned most often for the brown spots is too much sun. I have that problem in the early spring, as my shade is from Pecan trees and they leaf out late. So, I have somewhere between four and six weeks (in April) where the hosta get no shade.

If I shade her, is it possible to avoid to brown spots? If not, she needs a new home.

(OBL had desiccation this year, too. I'm hoping it's a one time thing.)

bk

bk

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Comments (5)

Babka NorCal 9b
10 years ago
When FW lived in my shaded atrium for a few years, completely out of direct sunlight, she still got that Spring desiccation on almost every leaf, every year. Back then the consensus was cool temps/cool winds on those freshly leafed-out edges.

After Olive Bailey Langdon moved in (2006), FW left the building. OBL has been with me since 2006 and gets early morning sun, and only once or twice have I noticed any slight browning on any of her leaves in Spring.

-Babka
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josephines167 z5 ON Canada
10 years ago
Hi BK...I just took a pic of FW along with others today. She doesn't look terrific due to the cursed necrosis, but her leaves are huge, lots still blue and I just love her...we go back many years as I've taken her along when I moved.

I experimented with her this year...in mostly shade she did not get her edges melted out, but you are in a much hotter zone. Since you are allowing her a last chance, could you adopt Mocc's umbrella solution perhaps to provide shade during April? And ramp up the water significantly? I think air circulation is also key when it's scorching outside...our humidity was so high that it took 2days only for the desiccation to hit.

I have mine in a poor location ( under deck, close to brick wall which retains heat in summer...ugh) but she will have a better growing site next spring.
Regardless of this negative growing locale, she is doing better than she should.

OBL is not supposed to have that problem but I don't think it can be helped when temperatures soar to 100 or more. Mine is new this year.

Again, my F W won't win any awards for esthetics, but if you can ignore the blemishes and see beyond them........you have been a trooper about your FW, no one can blame you if she gets the thumbs down...it's up to you. Fingers crossed for better luck next year. :-).
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My computer skills are not good . I have tired on 5 different occasions to change "my page" and each time I compiled all new data etc.,and klicked save when I went back to look at it nothing changed and all my hard work was gone!! I just gave up. I'm busy getting plants ready for a sale but after that I'll try one more time and maybe get it right. I'll keep your hosta suggestion for a FW replacement. Thanks. Connie
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Mocc, My FW is on it's third or fourth year. It's had uglies every year. It may be because they have no shade for the first couple of months they're up. All the trees that shade it are pecan trees and you know how late they are. I think it must have been "Cleo'd", as it came back with juvenile leaves this year. Unfortunately, I think I may have the same problem with OBL. I bought it early this year, while it was still just fat pips. I has the same kind of brown marks FW has. I'm hoping it's because we had such an up and down spring. I've wanted an OBL since I saw the first one on ebay. It was probably my first year of hosta addiction. I'm going to be more careful with them next spring to see if keeping them shaded and protected in the early spring will help. I suppose I'm going to have to learn about sieboldiana heritage. I checked my new Elegans and it has a few burned edges. In the photos below, you will see what kind of damage that I get on FW. It's been there every year. It's raining, so the flash went off and the photos aren't great. However you can see what it looks like. It's on most every leaf. bk FW FW OBL OBL
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Thanks for your response, Josephine. I ask because I got some divisions from my neighbor when they moved last year and I now have the perfect FW. I was unaware of OBL so never considered it as a poss. OBL. Then I saw the OBL at Cantigny near a FW and shook my head trying to differentiate the two. I already had many FW's with most of them usually displaying dessication, though not so much this year. Someone here last year offered the advice that if you don't like the FW when it displays poorly to dig it up and throw it away. I haven't done it yet but that is always an option!
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Good idea, Kay! I moved mine last spring away from house foundation/ under deck to try and eliminate or decrease the amount of spring desiccation. It is doing super this spring and as of a day or so ago, it shows very minor blemishes in one or two leaves. It seems not to have minded the move - the clump and leaves are as large as last year and may even be larger. I will measure the largest leaf just out of curiosity and compare to the Library stats. Whenever we get temps early (before onset of summer) in the 30's, it's a given my oldest FW will blemish somewhat. Being more in the shade now, and getting plenty of cooling breezes in the more open but shaded space has helped a fair bit. It seems taller this year. The old girl remains a treasured beauty in my garden. Funny, they brought along an alternative, Olive Bailey Langdon but it is not foolproof here. A couple of spots on it but doesn't really detract from its looks. I will scissor/trim where I can a bit later. :-) Maybe later you might post an updated pic and so shall I? I have been experimenting with FW for a few years now and my premise is that age and location, specific location, have an impact on how much/if any desiccation this plant suffers. This, the subsequent year after a move, will tell me more. Here's a peek at the oldest FW of mine from the weekend...too bad the honeysuckle confetti detracts (but smelled heavenly). Lots of leaves still to stretch out but she sure has settled nicely in there.
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Babka NorCal 9b
10 years ago
Josephones- I was referring to the Spring desiccation happens shortly after she leafs out, before the hot weather hits. When it gets corking hot, everything needs lots of water.

Your FW has retained its blue color very well.

-Babka
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josephines167 z5 ON Canada
10 years ago
Hi babka...isn't it interesting how things go when posts cross cyberspace? It took me awhile to compose my message as I had interruptions throughout so I wasn't aware of your message until after I had posted. .....I like your expression "corking hot" ...just how hot is it in Spring in NorCal, seriously?

I cannot imagine being able to garden as long as you, BKay and Mocc do, as much as you likely can't imagine my short growing season. I guess I just can't relate. lol

Sometime, maybe during Alphabet, do you think it's possible to see a pic of your OBL? I just have a young one...never viewed a pic of a 7-yr old and would love to see what I have to look forward to. Sounds like she's growing well for you.

Jo
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don_in_colorado
10 years ago
Yup, Babka, you said it (windburn). I have a 'Frances Williams' that got some windburn in the spring. Not too badly but...Yes indeed it can/does happen.

Don B.
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