vicki has the key to Hosta survival during the intense heat of late summer in the south (or anywhere else). The thicker the leaf, the better chance of remaining attractive, assuming they receive adequate moisture, I grow more than 500 Hostas (about 350-400 different cultivars) and most of mine still look good (from a distance!). Close up, I find some imperfections, due to insect damage, fallen twigs & pine needles and leaf margin scorch, because of lack of moisture. The yellow(gold) ones and often, the white centered ones, are the first to exhibit heat stress. The blues must have constant shade, or they will turn green. Some tolerate more sun, than others. I am currently growing 'Paul's Glory', 'Color Glory', 'Queen Josephine', 'Shade Fanfare' and several miniatures, in full afternoon sun, from about 1PM-Dusk and all still look great. I water them 2-3 times per week, which was necessary, because I received no rainfall in the 40 day period from Aug. 27 to Oct.7. Others that are still good are 'Sagae'. 'Lady Isobel Barnett', 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd', 'Praying Hands', 'Blue Arrow', 'Dick Ward', 'Samurai', 'Paradise Backstage' and many more, too numerous to list, but includes about 90% of the miniatures, some of which receive a few hours of morning or noonday sun. Leaf texture, water and air circulation are the keys to nice looking Hostas in the late summer. I won several blue ribbons and best of show on some at an early Sept. Flower Show and they still look that good right now. But as soon as we have a heavy frost, they will be history, until spring. I might also mention that I avoid using high content Nitrogen fertilizer, such as Osmocote, due to our warm winters and the presence of the soil borne fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii, known as "Southern Blight". I have tried more than 500-600 different Hosta cultivars, many didn't survive for me. but unless one tries, you won't know for sure! Good Luck! Rb

We are in Sherman Oaks and seeking a reasonably priced quality pool builder for our family home. Simple rectangular modern pool and spa with baja bench. Has anyone had a great experience and if so, would you mind sharing your recommendation? Much appreciated. We are in the process of obtaining estimates and would like to move forward this summer. Thanks!!!!

old_dirt......Until this year I used only Miracle Grow. This year I am experimenting with something different with about 2/3 of my new acquisitions. It is an organic product made and sold here in Texas called Lady Bug Raised Bed Blend. I talked to a rep from the company and while she had no knowledge of people using it for hostas (not like you see many hostas in Texas), she thought that the pH of the product matched what hostas require. I mixed in some expanded shale with it. It drains well and seems to retain moisture a little better than MG, which is good for our 90-100 days in the summer, but we'll see if it comes back to haunt me in the winter. http://www.ladybugbrand.com/our-products/soils/raised-bed-blend/

I very recently identified amaranth and purslane as two greens I want to add to my garden. My Asian neighbors (who speak very little English) have enviable swaths of amaranth growing in full sun and full shade. I'm on the hunt for seeds :-)