Gaurdian Angel
Liberty
Rainforest Sunrise

Atlantis
Liberty
Touch of Class

Guardian angel, liberty, touch of class.

Atlantis, Deep Blue Sea, Liberty

Atlantis
Guardian Angel
Liberty

Guardian Angel
Liberty
Touch of Class

Atlantis

Liberty
Guardian Angel
Orange Marmalade

Alex Summers
Orange Marmalade
Touch of Class

Touch Of Class
Rainforest Sunrise
Ginsu Knife

Pieter

Guardian Angel
Victory
Mango Tango

So many excellent choices.

Mark

Rainforest Sunrise
Alex Summers
Ginsu Knife

Alex Summers,Liberty,and Rainforest Sunrise

Deep Blue Sea
Liberty
Rainforest Sunrise

I think we need a blue other than Blue Mouse Ears for the Hosta of the Year..

So, I nominate these hosta: Blue Hawaii, Deep Blue Sea, Guardian Angel

Thanks Denny for giving us a chance to do this again.

Connie

Alex Summers
Ginsu Knife
Marilyn Monroe

So hard to pick only three!

Liberty is a real stand-out! (Don't know how Praying Hands beat it last year for H.O.T.Y.)

Deep Blue Sea definately makes the 10 ft. rule...the very deep blue color, nice round leaves, and large puckers. An excellent plant and one of my favorite blues.

My third choice is Rainforest Sunrise...a beautiful smaller hosta!

Liberty
Guardian Angel
Rainforest Sunrise

Guardian Angel
Leading Lady
Whirlwind

I think a reason Praying Hands beat out Liberty is due to plant patents.

How many patented Hostas are H.O.T.Y.?

Guardian Angel
Orange Marmalade
Touch of Class

Guardian Angel
Leading Lady
Victory

Guardian Angel
Liberty
Deep Blue Sea

I was torn between Deep Blue Sea and Alex Summers :(

Alexis

Denny,
I have a question, are these hosta usually selected for vigor, ease of growth as well as beauty? Or is it strictly eye candy only?

Thanks-
Julie

The Growers usually pick a plant that they have an excess of and need to promote.H.O.Y is a marketing tool to sell plants. That being said I think everyone should have and would appreciate Liberty and Guardian Angel.

Hello,
Sorry Rob,
Hosta of the year
a plant that is easy to cultivate and grow
unique and desirable
stamina
retail for around $15.00

I will nopminate
Alex Summers
Deep Blue Sea

I am anxious to see L. 'Paisley Print'

Hi there 'countrygarden'! Wow---I agree with you about LPP! I'd LOVE TO HAVE THAT ONE!!!
I can't get the database to work for me, right now, at The Library so I can't tell how new it is, but
it MUST be new!!

Deep Blue Sea
Marilyn Monroe
Victory

Ronny

All are worthy but my vote would be:

Liberty
Rainforest Sunrise
Victory

Thanks for asking

Dale

Countrygarden, You are right but so am I. You can narrow down the winner by the inventories of the major growers. That is why the Hosta Growers Association picks the plant and it is not a popular vote. I like H. Praying Hands and have a nice large plant in my garden but it has not been a great seller and was available in large quantities when selected. H. Praying Hands is not even a great grower. I agree that H. Alex Summers would be a great choice and very deserving.

Rob,
Assumption is not a way to voice an opinion.
I am unsure of where your 'inventory' lists come from.
You are right on a plant "they" can make money on.
I did check inventory lists last year at the time of nomination. I wanted to check and research "your" thoughts, as I wondered a little myself. There was very little 'Praying Hands' anywhere. 'Liberty' was available in mass anywhere, as w/ several others.
My info. came from these inventory lists and discussions:
Walters Gardens
Q and Z nursery
Green Hill
Naylor Creek
Shady Oaks
Garden World
I do believe many parts of the government are "rigged" and unrepresentful of the "peoples" choice or best interest.

As for the growth rate on 'Praying Hands'; it would be better to make a conclusion after the plant is out of the "juvenile" stages, as with all tissue cultured plants.
I am not head over heals for 'Praying Hands'; however it does fly off the shelf here and it would be hard to find another that can be grown in full sun and look great in late fall. It further compliments the architecture of all hosta. It has been a good grower here. Furthermore, I would have a hard time believing the companies "rigging" the winner would chose one they are going to have difficulties in propagating from "slow growth"; it makes no sense. The sooner a plant can be brought to "market" the more monies. Why mess w/ a slow one.

It would seem all previous winners are dignified hosta worthy of the award and then some.

You are now in a "situation" as a grower where you could join the association and voice your opinion there.

To note, your words w/ "continuing the Lakesides as Mary would have liked" would not remotely or even closely be thinking of tissue culturing and patenting as you have chosen to do. I might add, almost immediately.

I realize it can be tough getting established. Dividents are aquired by trust, integrity, value, and hard work. It takes years to get that "pat" on the back. I have gathered you are a warm and curtious individual, really trying.
I can relate to "your" frustation in a business environment. Matter of fact, I am easily agitated by what I see and know is wrong in "my" environment. However, as I distance myself from the wrong and greedy, and continue to do what is right, things fall into place.
However, statements must be backed by fact.
From a business perspective, don't trash the "environment" you yourself are a part of; find a way to improve it.

I am not a part of the "Growers Assosiation", nor do I have any voice.

Good Luck

P.S. I have spent three hours at the hosta library today. Looking for more worthy Lakesides to become a part of the gardens here.

Rob,
I too must beg to differ with your statement. The A.H.G.A. is mostly comprised of small growers like myself. The "Major Growers" are a minority in this association and only have one vote just like the little guys. Think about this please...If we were trying to dump excess inventory then why would we be voting two years ahead? I mean we would already be certian of what we needed to move by this time of the year and would be itching to sell it by the following year so why would we wait two years to do this? The real reason is that once the Hosta is voted in we can have two years to purchase it and have it to a nice size when it does bcome the H.O.Y.. The ballots are sent to each member and we each cast our vote. We don't have meetings or discussions about it .We just follow this simple criteria....
1. The Hosta should grow well in all parts of the country.
2.The Hosta should have a retial price in the year that it is selected of approximately 15 to 20 dollars.
3.The Hosta should be widely available in the year for which it is selected.
4.ALL Hostas except previous winners are eligible to be selected.

It is that simple.It is a democracy and everyone gets a vote.The A.H.G.A spends a lot of time and money researching things like virus x and nems. They also award lifetime memberships to icons in the Hosta world. We are a group of people dedicated to growing Hostas and striving to constantly improve their vigor, Quality and appearance.We love what we do and I will not sit quietly and let someone make uniformed statements such as the one that you have made. You have really cast a shadow on some wonderful and dedicated folks.I hope that you will see the light someday....

Denny

You are reading way to much into my statement. H.O.Y is a marketing tool to sell plants. A very simple question: I have read the requirements or qualifications to become H.O.Y but I have never read why there is a H.O.Y.? A plant that had low inventories would never get voted in regardless of how great it was. My comments are my opinions and should; and I do not want them to be treated as fact. I would be writing all day if I had to "Quote people" or copy stats. to prove or justify my opinion. I never said anything about "dumping excess inventory. I have all of the H.O.Y but I did not purchase them for that reason. All have great and unique qualities with maybe one exception in my opinion( H. So Sweet) I do love the name. Denny who determines your No. 3 criteria ? That automatically excludes a lot of great plants. The reason plants are voted on two years ahead is so that retailers can be purchase an all ready available TC plug and grow it to a retail size. You should really read what I wrote and not assume anything. My comments were harmless. I also do not assume to know all of the feelings or opinions of anyone. Where did the Mary comment come from? I am writing about H.O.Y. . The major growers influence retailers by there wholesale pricing and availabilty. Perhaps it is was just a coincidence that Walters, Shady Oaks and Q and Z all grow H. Praying Hands. I do not want anyone to think I am trying to put down the H.G.A. I am grateful for the good work they do. Perhaps if I did have a voice I would suggest voting on a plant an extra year ahead and not announce it. Let the retailers place advanced orders from the grower of there choice and let the consumer be delighted with a great plant the year it is being marketed as H.O.Y.. I am sorry if I have offended anyone. It was not my intention. I do appreciate a serious debate as long as it does not become personal which I feel your comments have done. I respect your opinions even when I do not agree and I am always open to different perspectives.

Rob,
How could I assume anything other than what you stated."The growers usually pick a plant that they have an excess of and need to promote." This certainly sounds like you are suggesting a big conspiracy to eliminate excess inventory to me. I really don't have to read into it any deeper than that. as for rule #3 why would you have a Hosta of The year if no one could get it? Should it be available to the Hosta "Aristocracy" only? If not tc'd would it fall into the 15 to 20$ rule?
I didn't make any Mary comment. I do admire many of her Hostas and appreciate her work.I have very little knowledge of Mary's way of doing things so I would never comment on something that I was just guessing or assuming on.
I admit that I did take this personally.When a suggestion of corruption and manipulation is made about an organization that I belong to and have a deep abiding respect for by someone who is asserting an opinion,from the outside, without any facts,I have no choice but to do so. I do not hold grudges and will forget and forgive anyone who is stand up enough to do the same. If you have suggestions either join the A. H. G. A. or contact me and I will make them heard. Thanks for responding.

Denny

Denny, I will repeat what I said in my first two statements. 1. H.O.Y is a marketing tool to sell plants. 2. You can narrow down the winner by the inventories of the big growers. Nowhere in there is a statement about conspiracy, manipulation, corruption or anything negative about the A.H.G.A. Perhaps you would not have been offended if I used a different word in place of "excesss". How about an "ample supply". What I stated to me is not being negative. If you want to say H.O.Y is not a marketing tool then that is your right and I respect your opinion. If you say that plant inventories have no influence on the decision then I respect your opinion on that also. You have not debated what I have stated but just read something into it that I stated I do not believe, nor have you given any facts to the contrary. If H.O.Y. is not a marketing tool then what is it ? I will not have words or thoughts that do not represent my views presumed or read into my comments. You in fact have agreed that inventories are a major factor in deciding H.O.Y. I gave you a suggestion in my last statement what did you think about that? Please feel free to forward it to Bob Solberg. H.O.Y is very important. The patent holder of Liberty stands to make a lot of money if his plant is selected. New people exposed to hosta might become addicts like most of us after seeing it grow for a few years. The Mary comment was intended for countrygarden. To be clear I did not say anything negative about tc plants, limiting or controlling who gets plants. Since I am an outsider who knows little can you educate me on the history behind H.O.Y. and the A.H.G.A. The reasons it started, how and why the first H.O.Y was selected. When the A.H.G.A formed and what it goals are. I will look forward to your response. I Have been enlightened for many years. That is why I give my time and money to Local Food Banks to feed the hungry, volunteer to insulate and weatherize homes of those in need. I vote every election. I attend my childrens school board meetings. I voice my opinion at my local office of government. I do my best to fight waste and help my community any way I can. I said I was sorry if I offended anyone once and that still hold true. Rob

Rob-

I see by your web page that you are new here. Welcome.

Of course the HOTY is a marketing tool. And a great one indeed.

Have you been to the AHGA's website? Many of your questions could be answered there. I think you admitted that you are a hosta addict, so you probably know your hostas. Me too. All of the HOTY's are definitely worth having, don't you agree? I don't think they've made a bad choice yet (although I do have reservations about h.Praying Hands).

Is there a problem if a great marketing tool like HOTY sells a lot of great hostas? Huh?

-Babka

Here is a link that might be useful: Lookie Here

Babka. Thank you for the welcome. I am sure you read all my comments about the HOTY's. I have no problem with the AHGA or HOTY. I just do not think it should be offensive to say what it is. I would like to see the future HOTY's not made so public until the year they are supposed to be promoted. I am sure you saw all the ebayers selling the HOTY for 2010 and 2011 this year. I even saw it being done at local nurseries. I think it takes away from what I think is trying to be done and diminishes the plant whose year its supposed to be. I understand there is a lot of planning and growing that has to be done ahead of time. To me its like watching Christmas decorations go up in stores before Halloween. I like Halloween and Thanksgiving too but since they don't bring in money like Christmas they take a back seat. I don't see very many people selling H. So Sweet but I have given away a lot of it over the years. I bought H.Praying Hands the first chance I had. I really appreciate its uniqueness. Thank you for your comments and the link. Rob

Atlantis, Liberty, Marilyn Monroe

Alex Summers
Leading Lady
Liberty

Alex Summers
Libery
Sum of All

Guardian Angel
Liberty
Touch of Class

Denny, I'm curious as to how this list was created? Are these the ONLY plants being nominated for 2012? It seems like a bit of an odd group of plants to me. Yes, there are some good ones there, but I can think of quite a few others that I would have put on a preliminary listing.

Also, I don't personally think a patented plant should be Hosta of the Year (I won't go into my reasons here as it is already a bit of a volatile thread).

Here are my opinions on the plants listed here, and the 3 I would pick.

Aardvark - I'm not familiar with this one, have never seen it for sale nor seen it in a garden. To me it doesn't come close to passing the "10 foot rule", so I probably wouldn't add it to my own collection.
Alex Summers - A fantastic plant and one of my favorites. I think it grows well for just about everyone. Does it really sell for around $15 now?
Atlantis - I would rule this one out as it is a patented plant.
Blue Hawaii - Another great plant, though I'm not sure how well it would grow or perform in the South. Any data there?
Blue Mammoth - Too cheap, too old, too common.
Cameo - Cute, pretty good grower, but some people have trouble with the minis and some might have trouble tending to this one.
Deep Blue Sea - Yet another nice plant that I recommend. Again, I think the price is less than $15 these days.
Fantasy Island - For a small, white centered plant it grows very well, and I love the flowers and scapes on this one as well. Does it grow well all over the country? Maybe.
Gentle Giant - Again, I'm not at all familiar with this one. From the info I've gathered this is probably not anything all that unique from many other plants.
Ginsu Knife - A good grower with good edges, but probably not for everyone. I grow this one really well, but have a hard time selling it for some reason. Should it be in everyone's collection? I'm not really sure...
Guardian Angel - A great plant in the North, but doesn't have the same attraction in the South. Because of this extreme regional variation I would rule this one out immediately.
Indigo - Yet another I'm unfamiliar with. It looks like a nice blue, though I think there are other blue plants with even more to offer.
Journey's End - A great plant, but I would rule it out once again because it is patented.
Leading Lady - A nice older plant. I grew and sold this one years ago but it was a slow seller, even with very mature plants. It is nice, but not particularly a standout until it is very, very mature. Then, it almost looks like Sagae, which is already a HOTY.
Liberty - Yet another patented plant.
Mango Tango - Patented, and has it really proven garden worthy and reliable in all regions? Give this one some more time.
Marilyn Monroe - Now here is a blue plant with some character. Love the foliage, ripples, and flowers.
Millennium - A great growing plant with some nice architecture. Might be too large for some people, too plain for others, but I do recommend this one.
Nate The Great - How did this one get on this list? I've not grown it, doesn't really look like something I would need.
Orange Marmalade - A patented plant, and it doesn't grow that well for everyone, including myself.
Pandora's Box - See my notes on Cameo. Not for everyone, and doesn't always grow well for everyone.
Rainforest Sunrise - Very nice plant that I do recommend highly.
Stitch In Time - Patented. An interesting collectors item, but not the best garden plant. This one is definitely not for everyone, and is way too expensive to be the HOTY.
Sum Of All - Not bad, though I like Winter Snow better as one of the better Sum and Substance sports.
Titanic - Patented plant, and essentially the exact same sport as Sum of All.
Touch Of Class - A fantastic plant, though it is patented.
Victory - A nice big, architectural plant, though I'm not sure it is for everyone.
War Paint - Pretty in the spring but only holds its color in some climates. Here in Michigan I am lucky if the light colored center lasts 2 weeks, let alone a few days after it emerges. Because of this vast regional difference I would not include it.
Whirlwind - This one is already quite common so I would probably rule it out for that reason.

After ruling out many plants on this list I come up with 6 candidates:

Alex Summers
Blue Hawaii
Deep Blue Sea
Fantasy Island
Marilyn Monroe
Rainforest Sunrise

Well, from those my absolute favorites are Alex Summers, Fantasy Island, Marilyn Monroe, and Rainforest Sunrise. Looking back at the previous winners of the HOTY there are too many yellow with a green margin plants, so I would take out Rainforest Sunrise for now, for that reason. That leaves me with these three:

Alex Summers
Fantasy Island
Marilyn Monroe

Will be curious to see the final result!

Chris

Earlier in the year we are asked to send in nominations. Then the nominations are tabulated and a group of finalists is put out for the final vote.

Chris,
It is the final list that was submitted from a much wider list of nominees sent out earlier as buxas has stated.
Sorry about the debate. I didn't start the post for it to become that! I appreciate all of the time that you have taken typing out all of the descriptions and I do agree with you on many points that you have made. I really don't care if a Hosta is patented or not but this is just my opinion.I will have the final at ten tonight to give the ones who are awaiting a chance to sound off.

Thanks Again,
Denny

Thanks Again Everyone,
And the winners are....
1) Liberty 17
2) Guardian Angel 13
3) Alex Summers 9

Honorable mention goes to ...

Rainforest Sunrise 8
Touch of Class & Deep Blue Sea 7 each
Atlantis 5
Marilyn Monroe & Victory 4 each
Leading Lady, Ginsu Knife,& Orange Marmalade 3 each
Blue Hawaii, Fantasy Island, Mango Tango,& Whirlwind 1 each

Liberty has done it again this year! I will send our vote tonight and keep you posted as I hear more.

Denny

Denny-

Thank you for letting us take part in your vote again this year. When will the final decision be made?

-Babka

Babka,
It is my pleasure. The result will usually come out in the January newsletter.I will let you know here as soon as I find out. Have a terrific Holiday season!

Denny