It is brutal, Coll! Our property is a lot sunnier than it was before we cut down five 100' tall pines a few years ago. I've tried every trick of the trade to create shade where there was none, including using big umbrellas, tall tropical plants in pots arranged like a screen, whatever. Because I like the challenge of growing hosta on the southern frontier. I've enjoyed leaves more than flowers in my garden, although a few special flowers are great to have. When I discovered the variety of leaf shapes/patterns/colors/textures, it took me by surprise. For the first time in my life, I am going all out for the joy of gardening with hosta. What I like the best, is how my DH is helping me with the heavy stuff, and letting me have the pleasure of selecting and situating the hosta. Now that he is home all the time, I have someone here to appreciate them too. He likes to say he bought 20 hosta 40 years ago and split them over the years to fill gardens all over his New England town. And we brought one of those, the Undulata Albomarginata, south with us, to continue the tradition. Not many plants endure and prevail that long a time, another reason to love it. Another thing I love about hosta, it is always possible that even an amateur can have growing off his hosta, a sport that sets the heart to beating faster....maybe not a fortune maker, but a lovely creation from your own plant. It can be exciting.

i buy them.. when it gets to the point I HAVE TO HAVE THEM ... pshaw on state inspected nurseries .... the inspector comes once a year in the spring.. when most hosta problems are not evident ... they try .. but i wouldn't bet any money on such .... the only cycle i know of.. well .. two ... sellers who have potted stock.. and know they will lose 10 to 25% over wintering in pots... and wanting to avoid dealing with such.. would rather in late summer ... get rid of them.. at a bargain ... and the other cycle ... first year out.. 50 bucks... second year 30 .. third year 15 .. 4th year ... 5 to 10 dollars ... that used to be the cycle.. but now ... that is probably even shorter .... try to avoid those HAVE TO HAVE PLANTS .... and you will save a lot of money .. if they are good growers.. they will be back next year .. and a lot cheaper ... good luck ken

First, I wanted to thank everyone for their support. Its been a rough week, not only emotionally but also physically because I caught a nasty virus. While I am still (understandably) nervous and will remain that way until everything is in writing, my parents have said we are going with the original plan with only a small change. The deed restrictions state that each property can only be a single family residence and if we build a separate building, aka the mother in laws quarters, we could potentially be violating these restrictions and anyone who lives in our area could potentially sue. To avoid this, the plan has changed and the mother in laws quarters will actually be attached to the main house. I/we didn't actually want to be this close but if it allows us to accomplish our goals then it is a small price to pay. My parents also spoke with my brother and told him that my husband and I were just going to buy a new house and, according to them, he teared up and said he didn't want that. I'm not sure if he didn't want it because it meant he might have to help take care of them when they are older (something he has flat out said he won't do) or because he actually realized he was being a selfish pr*ck and his actions were going to cause a lot of grief for everyone else. Regardless, he has told my parents that he also doesn't like their hair-brained idea of taking on a new mortgage in retirement. So that's where I sit right now. Not much progress on the house but we did get the final coat of paint on the exterior and get tile laid in the breezeway. To answer Christine's question of why we do what we do, my response would be because I inherently do not trust others. I told my husband years ago, when we were poor college kids, that even if I won the lottery and could afford to pay someone else to do all the work, I would STILL want to do it myself. This way, I know it is done right and if it isn't, I only have myself to blame. I will also admit to being raised by my dad, the classic handyman, that if you don't know how to do something, you practice until you get it right. To pay others to do it is a "waste of money". In hindsight, my parents lived practically paycheck to paycheck and doing everything yourself was a necessity but still, its my inherent nature. If I don't know how to fix my car, drain, electrical, etc. I don't hire a pro, I research and fix it (or build it) myself. So that's why I do what I do. I'm a perfectionist control freak.

Thanks for the replies. I had to go to the library computer to reply, as my browser incompatibility issue makes commenting impossible (I can originate, but not comment, for the last month or so) I DID go back, and bought 7 more! Though selection was way down. 1 more Sagae, 1 more each Blue Hawaii and Blueberry Muffin. A Frances Williams. All planted immediately, Then we've had excellent rain since.