Opinions on First Frost, Autumn Frost and Great Escape
stephanie_h12
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
stephanie_h12
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Any pics of a large Autumn Frost ?
Comments (14)Wider margin and I believe it stays more yellow/cream color than Great Escape or Blue Ivory, which also have wider white margins than First Frost and El Nino. First Frost and El Nino were VERY similar to me. Edges turning white rather soon. Haven't had Autumn Frost long enough (only 2 yrs.) to determine size. When they tc hundreds (thousands?) of these things there are bound to be some variables. Here's mine: -Babka...See MoreFirst Frost, 2010 HOTY
Comments (32)I like Praying Hands, and have had it in my garden since the first year it was widely available. However, I see one compelling reason why it should not be HOTY. Like it or loath it, this variety is definitely a novelty hosta, completely unlike other varieties. While I find it an interesting variety, and worthy of a place in the garden, I certainly would not like to see a large number of new varieties with the same growth habit and leaf form. Can you imagine a whole bed of different varieties, all with the closed, twisted, pointed leaves? I believe the HOTY should be a more typical representative of the genus as a whole--clearly recognizable as a hosta, even by novice growers. I work with a local hosta seller every spring, and the typical reaction ratio to Praying Hands seems to be about 40 percent "Yuck!" and about 60 percent "Oh, neat!" More people want it for the name than for the plant itself, and many have heard the name and are disappointed upon seeing the plant for the first time. A 'yuck factor' of 40 percent seems too high for a HOTY. This same logic would eliminate White Feather as a contender for HOTY. This variety sells hand over fist, but it's decidedly not a typical hosta, being rather a novelty plant with a lot of pot appeal in the spring. Add to that the fact that it turns mostly plain green and rather boring later in the year, and you have a variety that isn't going to do much to promote hostas in general, and make no mistake, promoting hostas in general is one of the main purposes of having a HOTY. Orange Marmalade might be a good choice. My only hesitation with this variety is that it hasn't been around long enough to really judge the mature plant. Of course that's going to be a problem with most of the newer varieties. Personally, I would like to see some of the older, classic varieties considered for HOTY. For example, Montana Aureomarginata would make a wonderful HOTY. Spilt Milk, while not having been around long enough to be considered a true classic, is a very unique yet mainstream variety. I'm a bit confused by the comparison of Aristocrat and First Frost--in my garden they are very different. First Frost is of Halcyon lineage, as are El Nino and Sleeping Beauty, and there are minor differences between these three varieties. Aristocrat is a Hadspen Blue sport, and it has a much wider light edge, an overlay of colors between the edge color and the center color, and a different growth habit, being more horizontal in habit. It also has a more rounded leaf than any of the Halcyon offspring. Although not a very fast grower, Aristocrat is one of the standouts in my garden, enough so that I picked up a second one this year. It was nice to see a mini finally make HOTY, and Blue Mouse Ears was a good choice. It might make sense to have a whole new category of HOTY for minis and small varieties, since they are gaining in popularity by leaps and bounds. The American Hosta Society now has a separate popularity poll for minis, so perhaps it's time to give the little ones separate recognition for HOTY as well. There are plenty of worthy varieties out there, with many more being introduced each year....See MoreFirst Frost - a great front yard Hosta
Comments (10)Your First Frost looks great ConnieMay. Most of mine are fading away or have gone dormant. I have cut the leaves off of some of my potted ones so that I could put them away. Here are the ones hanging on: Here's First Frost. The plant to the left (in the ground) is Paul's Glory. That's how most of mine look now. Touch of Class. This one is in the ground. Lancifolia. Plantaginea. Two days ago she was all green. What was she thinking? and two June side by side....See MoreWeird weather...first frost a month late!
Comments (3)We just had our first frost last night as well - usually Oct 15th but no later than Nov 1st. It has been so nice to experience blooms later than usual. Any pics that you can share? I'd love to see them! I feel for your drought conditions. Any improvement in the wildfires? This year has been a tough year for gardeners in many places. This spring was so hot and dry even some of my established roses struggled and my new bareroots didn't do much until it cooled off a bit and rained in July (yes, even continued to be odd in July). Looking forward to great gardening in 2017!...See Morejosephines167 z5 ON Canada
7 years agostephanie_h12
7 years agostephanie_h12
7 years ago
Related Stories
WINTER GARDENINGFire and Ice: 8 Plants That Blaze Once Frost Hits
Not everything in the garden sleeps in the cold — these plants rise and shine in fall and winter, bringing bright color to beat the blahs
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Autumn Sage Brings Color and Butterflies
Whether you live in the arid desert or the humid South, you'll likely find this deer-resistant beauty as irresistible as winged creatures do
Full StoryNATIVE PLANTSAutumn Joy: How to Get 3 Months of Fall Flowers
Enjoy blooms from September to November by mixing 6 asters native to different areas of the U.S.
Full StoryFALL GARDENINGHouzz Call: Show Us Your Autumn Views
Share your pictures of fall foliage and decor in the Comments. Your photos may be featured in an upcoming story!
Full StoryHOUZZ TV FAVORITESThese Spectacular Views of Fall Foliage Will Lift Your Soul
Soar over picturesque New England and Midwest landscapes to see glorious autumn scenes
Full StoryPOOLSSolstice Daydream Break: 10 Breathtaking Swimming Pools
Put Jack Frost's nipping out of mind with a virtual dip in 10 covetable Australian swimming spots
Full StoryLIFEHouzz Call: Who'll Post the First Snow Photo of 2013?
If the weather's been flaky in your neck of the woods, please show us — and share how you stay warm at home
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNChoose Your Kitchen Cabinet Glass
Textured? Frosted? Seeded? Find the cabinet glass style that will set off your kitchen to its best advantage
Full StoryNATIVE PLANTSPlant These Fall-Flowering Natives in Early Summer for Pollinator Love
These 3 groups of plants will support masses of beneficial insects come autumn
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Liatris Aspera
Tall blazing star’s unique flower spikes bring butterflies and bees to eastern U.S. gardens in early autumn
Full Story
Heather Macdonald