Growing Frances Williams in the South
I've heard the stories of leaf desiccation with Frances Williams, and not one to turn down a challenge, wanted to try the ole girl down south in the heat and humidity.
Well, so far, so good. I have her pretty much in full shade and water her quite often. It has been in the mid to upper 80's here for the past week, with humidity of 60 % or greater.
We'll see how she does after a full season of southern weather.
Comments (28)
7 years ago
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoRelated Discussions
Swapped out Frances Williams for Liberty, and Orange Marmalade !
Comments (5)That's funny, Leafwatcher! I'm doing the same thing with my husband by starting a patriotic/military garden (retired after 21 years in the Army). So far, we have Spacious Skies, Dawn's Early Light, Toy Soldier, Liberty, and Patriot in the garden, with plans to move a Loyalist there too. He's now catching the excitement and asking if there is an Amber Waves of Grain hosta (there is!) or a Camouflage (you bet!), etc. He was particularly interested in adding Green Army Man! ;) Hey--as long as he is actually encouraging me to buy more hostas, I don't really care WHAT they're called!! Karen...See Morehostasformez4: substitute for 'Frances Williams'
Comments (4)My computer skills are not good . I have tired on 5 different occasions to change "my page" and each time I compiled all new data etc.,and klicked save when I went back to look at it nothing changed and all my hard work was gone!! I just gave up. I'm busy getting plants ready for a sale but after that I'll try one more time and maybe get it right. I'll keep your hosta suggestion for a FW replacement. Thanks. Connie...See MoreFrances Williams AWOL
Comments (28)Ummm...back to Frances Williams??? Col123 said: "I don't believe the brown spots have much to do with sun exposure, personally, since mine was in TOTAL shade and still got ugly, year after year." I have to agree with Col123. I believe the burn spots have everything to do with spring cold exposure. I've been watching FW at my house. I have her right out my back door, so I give it an inspection about every day. She gets about 5 hours of direct morning-noon sun. Becomes dappled after that. I have to say, the melted out spots from the spring cold spells show themselves and start becoming really ugly around later May in my parts. I can say that once the spring burn spots are dried up and done...which has been the last couple weeks this year...they are not pretty, BUT, FW is fine and thrives with lots of sun for the rest of the season with no additional burning. Just need to figure out the best order of protection during the spring weather. Gayle...See MoreFrances Williams: does leaf form develop over time?
Comments (11)From what I recall (vaguelyÂas I was planting several new beds at the same time) the first Frances Williams was nice in the pot, but not THAT impressive when I bought and planted it. Then the next summer, I sat up and took notice. And more "wow" since. I donÂt need it to grow faster, this was fast enough for me. Compared to other varieties I have, and IÂm not a huge collector; it was a bigger transformation. Other varieties are more or less the same as when they were potted, maybe the leaves a little bigger and of course, the whole plant bigger. (For me, comparing with what I have, that means Gold Standard, June, Guacamole, Sagae, Regal Splendor, Krossa Regal, Love Pat, Fire and Ice, Abby, and Golden Tiara.) When I shopped yesterday, nothing stood out as being distinctive enough. Though under the shade of a mature Mugho pine, it is a very visible garden right next to the front sidewalk. I want things that will "glow" in the shade. It gets morning sun and filtered afternoon shade. I only bought the Frances Williams because I was on the lookout for one. I really like wide leaves and contrasting edges: but probably only want some puckered. I looked at Wide Brim but put that back. IÂm hoping to find a nice blue too. I'm hoping for maybe 3 medium to big ones (but not tall) in total, and the rest smaller. I wonder what other varieties have such a distinctive change, that I might be overlooking because they are not so "special" when young?...See More- 7 years ago
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- 7 years agoI should update my post. The 2 % solution is working, but painfully slow. I am going to get some poison ivy or brush strength glyphosate at Home Depot or Tractor Supply and see what type of more effective results I might get.
Jon
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7 years agoEnjoying mine right now but seeing some browning starting on the edges. :(
- 7 years ago
Here is another piece under the deck...so far blemish free also, although this one has never had necrosis...my rationale is that it's too young, lol.
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Koffman, I went to check on my FW...so far I have sunburn on one leaf. Disappointed. Hope yours stay unmarked.
- 7 years ago
I am in the zone 7b as well and my FW is probably 10 years in this spot. She already has the crispy edges starting. I also have Olive Bailey Langdon (a FW lookalike that does MUCH better in our hot summers). I'll show current pics of both for comparison.
- 7 years ago
Here it is June 18th and Frances Williams is still looking good. Should have taken the bet from Bragu. New growth coming in, and as you can see it isn't crispy like bacon. LOL. No direct sun and nightly watering along with a good mist spray is keeping her looking good. Considering the heat index has been close to 110 degrees here this week I think she looks pretty good.
- 7 years ago
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- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
Will do! :-). I've been watering deeply every day...today heating up to 33/91F. I watered at base. Would love to sprinkle all over but not in this heat. I usually trim off if edges aren't too bad. The last place possible to move her would be on west side... not this year though.
Damage concentrated on centre leaves and on lower right side. You can see sun shining on leaves and also on QOTS. Sorry about the poop show. You know, it could always be worse...this is not so bad really...? considering she was moved just a month ago.
- 7 years ago
7 years agoThis Frances Williams was given to me by a friend at least ten years ago. Some years the desiccation is worse than others. What do I care? These days all of my old friends look dried up and crinkley sometimes.
7 years ago
josephines167 z5 ON Canada