Last year, there were two articles in the Morning News about gardens with some hosta in the ground. Both gardeners were very proud of their hosta. So, I'm going to try it. I tried it once before, but did not REALLY prepare the bed. I understand that's the key - very deep and thorough bed prep. Two of my clients have them and there is one on one of my dog walks. None of those do very well. There are a few little spindly leaves full of holes. If it doesn't work, I'll dig them up and put them in pots. I'm just running out of places to put pots in full shade. No, tomahawk, the ground does not freeze here. In fact, the ones in pots probably don't freeze either. This winter, we had some really low temps, but it's rare. Usually, we don't get below 25 F. and that's only for a night or two at a time. However, the Dallas Arboretum is doing trials and has had successful trials in the past, so I'm going to give it a shot. I'm using So Sweet which has been trialed at the Arboretum and so has September Sun. The Arboretum is only about 5 miles from my house, so it could work here. We'll see. bkay

Short of a DNA test, you'll never know for sure. Hostas are inherently unstable. Solid eyes will take over a plant that is normally variegated...more chlorophyll to grow faster, so that is why it is a good plan to remove those solid eyes. June is a sport of Halcyon, so MOST LIKELY a solid green eye on June is reverting to Halcyon. But if you seperated that solid eye and it grew up with some slightly different characteristics then it would be considered a sport. Isn't this fun????? When look up a hosta at the Hosta Library there is a link right at the top of the page of photos for that particular hosta. That link takes you to the myhostas.be info for that particular hosta, so you don't have to look at the whole index list. -Babka

Windymess and peren.all - thank you for the compliment. I was gardening that day and am actually in the picture in my pjs.....talk about a surprise when I first heard the sound! I took a photo of it. Never having seen a drone before I didn't know what to make of it. The photo I posted above, among others was available through MLS so I pooched one since my property (and I) was in it, lol. I took this iPad photo once I realized this was a "camera in the sky", lol. When I first moved in, it was apparent that I was the only gardener around. We had dandelions galore, weedy lawns, and no gardens...just the odd non-descript shrub here and there. I am pleased to say that over the years the neighbourhood has improved - 80% less dandelions, greener lawns.....and - more gardens! A few of the houses are rentals so when someone new expresses an interest in my garden, I immediately offer them some of my perennials. (ulterior motive on my part - encourage tenants/residents to enjoy and look after their properties and get into gardening/beautifying their surroundings. It's a win/win.) ;-) Perhaps one of these days I'll move so I can have more space in which to garden....it is a goal of mine. I'd say that I have close to two to three times more the number of plants than this property can hold.

Vurseana, thanks for answering the perlite question :). I didn't think you were going to use it as a potting supplement for media but wasn't sure. I throw just about anything into my garden soil and mix it in, including perlite, vermiculite, etc. left over potting mix, old used mix, wood chips, whatever to assist with some moisture retention. Your new plants may or may not have been somewhat sheltered at the nursery so any contact with sudden exposure to sunlight will make some react. I also agree with Don's advice and encourage your consistent water plan of action... it is key for the remainder of this season. FW has a reputation of spring desiccation although some people luckily don't have that issue. Air flow around the plant is a big plus if it is exposed to some sunlight I have found. It is a beautiful hosta regardless in my opinion. I believe your Francee will settle in. Mine gets a southerly exposure at the hottest part of the day, is planted near the foundation of the house which reflects heat and it is growing beautifully. Your plan regarding Golden Tiara is a terrific one! It is such a great performer under any condition and just as you described it. I transplanted a piece to the front last year where it is exposed to south-westerly sun and so far it is just fine. I wasn't able to water it for a week during a very dry spell and this is what it looks like. I am adding a few more that I dug up weeks ago to the same area. Let's compare notes when we are done! :) The margins on mine will fade into almost white but the integrity of the plant improves greatly!. Love this hosta a lot and have several divisions. :D Jerry/old dirt planted a ring of GT and does it ever look great and filled in so quickly. Wish I could remember where he posted a pic recently...