Here in zone 4b I'm risking an H. Maui Buttercup to a half day of direct sun. Just planted it last August, so will have to wait and see. In the past when I've done this sort of thing they sometimes get a little burnt as the season goes on, but then in subsequent seasons after more full root development all's well. Remember that many, if not most native hostas are growing out in open fields in full sun. Lots of moisture is the key. Our first full sun bed has a weeping soaker hose in it and that really does the trick (along with a weekly drenching). hth, hh

Paula, your OS is sinfully huge, and just new last year!!! it is absolutely beautiful - it has a "purity" quality about it, as it also does in its yellow stage. I so LOVE this plant. When Paula/Ilovetogrow posted her pic on the Top Gun thread, I immediately fell for it. There were so many beautiful contenders I really had a hard time deciding, then I went with my first reaction. It just happened to be the first pic too, I think. It was a POW moment. Since then I've also acquired a few others from that thread. I'm grateful you added last year's pic. I think You must have been dancing all the way home with that one when you got it :-) Love the yard, I laughed right out loud when I read your comment...still chortling! Thanks! ;-) Eleven, you have the ultimate canopy for hosta gardens. Just look at that beacon in the centre of the bed! All other plants seem to "attend" to her. Very, very lovely. Is that Devon Green down a bit from FD? Near what looks like Inniswood? Don't have either but guessing from memory? MadPlanter, you're so on point! I do have many other hostas that are compensating for the loss, extraordinarily doing so well. Each day I notice something new, or see leaves widen, corrugation appear, etc. I am in my element! The biggest difference this year is that there are no slug holes!!! I haven't seen a slug for at least a week now. I can enjoy the beauty of leaf and shape of a hosta without being distracted by slug bites. I'm convinced the population decreased due to the harsh winter. The small ones I found helped themselves to the bait I scattered around and they are gone! As for your MMA, I'm sorry you had to be disappointed. After I read your comment I checked on it in my Grenfell/Shadrack Encyclopedia and the centre does go through colour changes, but it doesn't go all green at all. It likes morning sun to maintain its lighter centre. You deserve the real thing!

This is a list compiled by Shade Tolerant from the forum members contributions of the Ultimate 100 Hostas. There are all price ranges, sizes, colors, etc. But this is "The List" as of December 2005. ******************************************************** Ultimate 100 Hosta List Abba Dabba Do--(Scootersbear) Alex Summers --(Papou) Allegan Fog --(Whirlwind) American Masterpiece --(NeverEnough) Antioch --(Intrepidgardener) Aphrodite --(HostaRed) Aristocrat --(KymmieAnn) August Moon --(Katsu) Black Hills --(Murial) Blue Angel --(Fenceberry) Blue Jay --(Fenceberry) Blue Mammoth --(Katsu) Blue Mouse Ears --(TheCan) Bold Ruffles --(Lavendargrrl) Bright Lights --(GoldfinchTN) Cadillac --(Sweet39) Canadian Shield --(Papou) Carnival --(Penhalion) Chinese Sunrise --(Poppi) Clifford's Comet --(Playinmud) Clifford's Forest Fire --(Limace) Dream Weaver --(Tsbccowboy) El Nino --(Lavendargrrl) First Frost --(Mary52) Fortunei Aureomarginata --(Hostasandharleys) Fragrant Bouquet --(Teresa) Frances Williams --(NewHostaAddict) Galaxy --(Scootersbear) Gin and Tonic --(Shade_tolerant) Gold Regal --(Esox48) Gold Standard --(Paws4pets) Golden Tiara --(GoldfinchTN) Grand Marquee --(Jel48) Great Expectations --(NeverEnough) Guacamole --(Lavendargrrl) Halcyon --(Lavendargrrl) Hidden Cove --(HostaRed) Inniswood --(Brshafer) Jimmy Crack Corn --(Rfgpitt) June --(Walnutgrove) Korean Snow --(Highjack) Krossa Regal --(KatailS) Lake Superior --(Chevy57red) Lakeside Black Satin --(PTMAX) Lakeside Looking Glass --(Katsu) Lakeside Mom --(MaryAnn) lancifolia --(Chocolateis2b8) Leading Lady --(Poppi) Liberty --(Hostarox) Little Sunspot --(Sweet39) Love Pat --(Linda P) Made You Look --(Cindy528) Maui Buttercups --(Poppi) Metallica --(Paws4pets) Mike Shadrack --(Chevy57red) montana Aureomarginata --(Yard Mom) Niagara Falls --(Shade_tolerant) Night Before Christmas --(Scootersbear) Northern Exposure --(MaryAnn) Olive Branch --(Teapotprincess) On Stage --(Highjack) Pandora's Box --(KymmieAnn) Paradigm --(Tsbccowboy) Paul's Glory --(Chocolateis2b8) Pineapple Upside Down Cake --(Walnutgrove) plantaginea --(Hagey) Queen Josephine --(Jel48) Quilting Bee --(Poppi) Rainforest Sunrise --(Fenceberry) Rascal --(Esox48) Regal Splendor --(Caliloo) Remember Me --(KymmieAnn) Revolution --(Caliloo) Rising Sun --(Esox48) Royal Standard --(Lykaon78) Sagae --(Hosta Freak) Sally and Bob --(Scootersbear) September Sun --(Chevy57red) Shade Fanfare --(Chocolateis2b8) sieboldiana Elegans --(Patann) Spilt Milk --(Wsuch) Stained Glass --(Dbowemd) Stephanie Clifton --(Chevy57red) Strip Tease --(Rfgpitt) Sum and Substance --(Fenceberry) Summer Breeze --(Shade_tolerant) Sun Power --(GottaHosta) Thunderbolt --(HostaRed) Torchlight --(Papou) Touch of Class --(Sweet39) Undulata Albomarginata --(GottaHosta) Unforgettable --(Tsbccowboy) ventricosa --(Chocolateis2b8) ventricosa Aureomarginata --(Tsneal) venusta --(Andi_mn) Whirlwind --(Leslie197) William Lachman --(Shade_tolerant) Xanadu Paisley --(Papou) Yellow River --(Sweet39) Zounds--(Mary52)

And every year, I say why am I doing this...growing hostas where they are not happy to grow. Most of them come back each year and seeing those eyes poking up and unfurling to the most beautiful hand painted looking leaves keeps me going and inspired. Spring is the very BEST time when things are so fresh and unblemished. Esther B- I share your joy. -Babka