We have a 4 year old one that truly did did the 'third year it leaps' thing. I keep meaning to pic it and show it here, but keep getting distracted. Lately the distraction has been garden tours and today the annual State of Michigan inspection . . . Now we're prepping for our usual twice annual trip to the U.P. (da Upper Peninsula of Michigan der eh?), this year possibly via a VERY round about route through Q&Z, heheheh. Hopefully I'll remember to return to this later next week . . . hh

I didn't split it, they are two separate plants. I would wait until they had 4 eyes or so to split them. Splitting them in your current condition and size would be 'scary'. Splitting early or late in the year will cause minimal setback, but it will take that much longer to get to a nice size. I think something is digging around, not rabbits or deer eating them, but it looks like the damage my 'pup' does when she charges through my hosta after a squirrel, rabbit, cat or any other critter she would like for lunch. Jon

Yes, the iconic photo of the late, great Brian Skaggs with his monster introduction, sherrygirl. It's a huge plant, no doubt, growing on a slight hill, with Mr Skaggs bending down a bit on lower ground. Note the yardstick he's holding for actual scale. The leaves are inarguably massive, that's for sure. Bernd's plant is still young, but I think he'll have a true giant monster in a few seasons. EDIT: Aaaaand, that's just great. Can't post the photo. Kinda takes away the whole point of my post. My apologies, sherrygirl.

Here's a picture of mine three years old in 2015; for some reason I don't have a good picture from this year. This year she was about 36" tall and 50" across, but she's pretty tired and tattered now in October. Not picture-worthy. I have moved this hosta every year. Imagine how big she'd be if I leave her alone! I have to move it again next year as I installed a privacy fence on the property line and the Empress is too close to it. She will be moved toward more sun - she's in pretty heavy shade now.