It is a beautiful plant, BC. I don't have that one but have always admired it for its spring colours and its form.

Does sun exposure affect how long the colour persists? If it is shade grown, is the yellow more pronounced? Just wondering...

NHL, that is simply stunning! The first pic really gets me. I certainly don't need another large hosta, but boy, oh boy, that is downright too gorgeous to resist....

NHL, I agree with Jo - what spectacular springtime variegation! Even as a Niagara Falls lookalike, it still looks great. Yours would seem to be growing really well. Mine is progressing slowly and steadily, though you did start off with a larger plant.

Jo, I know what you mean about obtaining more large varieties - but I broke my resolve recently when purchasing a Coast to Coast - however, as a young plant, it is still small for now!

As regards the colour of WP, mine gets some morning sun. It could be that the center will change more to yellow as it matures. I do like the white, but I'm not averse to it changing over time to yellow either. As it gets older, however, it seems that the colourful display will become short-lived. That's not a development that I'd readily welcome!

BC

I hear you, BC. WP is one of those you just have to have for that brief "spring glory" before it morphs to green - so worth it! Lucky you to still have so much colour - the spring pics are absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to next spring.....when I hope you will showcase it once again, yes? :-)

I do love the white variegation also. Here is a photo from 2014 when my hosta did have considerable white.

Interestingly enough, the Hosta Library doesn't even mention War Paint having a white center. It says the hosta will "emerge in the spring with a clear bright butter-yellow center." Most photos there show the yellow center, but a couple have the white.

As for size, I too cannot accommodate too many large hostas. But I figure I won't count my chickens before they hatch. (A lot can happen until then!) And if it continues to grow well, then I can always divide to reduce its size. I don't think I would have any trouble finding someone who would want a piece of this one!

Love the additional pic - it's such a stunner NHL!

BC

Thanks BC and Jo.

NHL, it would be worth the drive to Canada to come get it. My passport is good for 3 more years. :)

OK, Deb, I'll keep you in mind! LOL

Gorgeous, BC, and the variegation all-season, what a bonus, eh?

The change in leaf coloring of "WP" is affected by increasing ambient air temperature. The colder the longer the leaves remain bright in the center, until getting white. I would opt for the low temperatures in May responsible for it. Anyway, "WP" is one of the best every spring. Early May in my garden...

Here is mine, as you can see an early riser compared to those next to it.

This was the 12th May this year. It's 4 years old.

It is still showing a little variegation and the leaf tip curl.

Dave

Strzezymir, I hadn't heard that the "change in leaf coloring of "WP" is affected by increasing ambient air temperature." Good to know. Since our spring seemed to go from cold to warm so quickly, that may be why my plant did not get the white it had the previous year. Gorgeous photo you have. It really showcases those lovely ripples too.

Dave, at four years old yours is doing so well! Gorgeous spring show. Interesting that BChosta's WP has much more leaf tip curl than the others.

Good observation, NHL - prompts me to ask ... BC, are the leaf tips today just as curled as in the May picture?

I think it's fascinating to observe, and appreciate how the same hostas grow in different climates in other parts of the country/ world - it's all in the details, isn't it. Five, or twenty-five ... each holds its own beauty.

Very nice plants Dave and Strzezymir!

Not sure that the theory about colder temps explains the white center - in my case at least. We've had a really warm spring and summer so far - exceeding the usual temperatures.

Jo, the curl is still quite evident ( though maybe not as pronounced as it appeared to be in May). I think it's probably just a product of leaf immaturity.

BC

Here's a picture of my entire WP as it looks today. It is now a Niagara Falls look-a-like. Is the coloring on your WP still holding up BC?

BC - Maybe what you have is actually a sport of War Paint that retains its colour. It will be interesting to see if it does the same thing next year.

That's a good point ConnieMay. I guess the only way to tell is to grow it in another part of the country. Hey BC, I'm in another part of the country! LOL

Like the form of your War Paint/Niagara Falls NHL - it's also looking totally unblemished... great for this time of year.

To answer your question, my plant hasn't altered that much since the beginning of the month - the first flush is still quite colourful whilst all new growth is solid green.

I highly doubt that it's a sport. Originally purchased in late Sept. 2013, it arrived already green with no variegation. Equally, it had reverted to all green by August last year. So what's new this year? I'm not sure - maybe it has something to do with the abnormal weather patterns we've experienced.

Anyhow, below are a couple of pictures taken today.

Since I already have a Niagara Falls, I'd prefer the plant to maintain its variegation this late every year. Somehow, I don't think that will happen - shame!

BC

Both are stunners, BC and NHL!!

My brother has 1.27 acres - I'll buy him one so I can say it's mine and grow it there! Lol

Thanks for showing us your WP as it is now---just lovely! I hope that yours will maintain its variegation every year too. I look forward to seeing what WP will do next spring. As in regards to the form and lack of blemishes of mine---its been under the porch all summer with very little sun! Unfortunately we experienced hail twice, so my other hosta haven't fared as well. I don't have a Niagara Falls, so I feel I have two hosta in one!

Jo... your brother's acreage could well become a slippery slope!

How many others might find a home or leased space there!!!

Come to think of it though, I'm doing the same thing. I've passed several hostas that are not performing as well as I'd hope in pots to a friend who wants to fill in her newly created garden beds. If they prosper, we'll divide them and I'll get a piece back to try them again (Seducer and Journey's End both spring to mind).

BC

I just looked at the post from Paul_in_mn and you do seem to have the same plant as him...same leaf shape and twisting at the ends, same variegation later in the season. So it is either the conditions or a slightly different version than what the rest of us have. We'll all be waiting for an update next July / August.

Here is a great pic of his plant under the W's in 2012.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1952957/hosta-w-2012

BC, we are like-minded, lol! I've already negotiated more land!!! I've given him lots of hostas in the past and they are still alive so when I get a new War Paint next spring, it will keep company with S & S and several others. Slippery slope all right! LOL

Love your arrangement with your friend - definitely a win-win situation! I did that too when I moved out West (Calgary). So good to have my special oldies with me.

Seducer is gorgeous when happy, as is JE. I know you'll be happy to get those shared pieces/divisions when they are ready to come home again! It's wonderful to have good gardening friends, isn't it? :)

ConnieMay, I loved looking through that thread (before I joined) - thank you for providing the link. War Paint is tops on my list for next year!

BC, on the AHS FB page, a poster living in Sweden posted a picture this morning of her WP with it's paint still on.