A Trip to Wade and Gatton
If at first you don't succeed . . . This is my fifth try at posting something. I don't know why it keeps hanging up. Too many pics or something. Anyway, my wife and I took a little drive and visited this nearby wonderland of Hosta. The next best thing to being at the Hosta convention. I never seem to have enough time to spend walking around admiring their botanical garden. Maybe it has something to do with 29+ hoop houses full of Hostas for sale. I spent some time previously going over their catalog and narrowed my selection down to 70 plants (its 260 pages long). From that I chose my top 10 and hit the road. A big storm hit shortly after we arrived so I retreated to my vehicle to get my umbrella. My wife decided to take a nap. But I wasn't the only fool shopping in the rain.
They sell by the crown, so I kept looking for the largest eyes instead of pots with multiple eyes. Although, there were very few pots without multiple eyes.
Their pots are crammed so full of eyes and roots, it’s difficult to get the Hosta out of the pot. Their prices are pretty fair for what you’re getting, but there's some pricey stuff out there too (I'm not sure why).
But they will split Hostas and repot for you while you wait. Say hi to Bill who's been working there for 20 years.
They have a bunch of Lakeside Hosta too.
And you can comparison shop.
Comments (19)
steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI did get to wander around for a little bit with my wife before the rain came.
Careful where you park your truck
A Little one from one of our own.
One of my favorites every time I visit. This clump is about 7' across
steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI might have had more time to wander outside if I didn't have the chance to peruse Van Wade's personal stash. (Darn my luck)
Here's one I was looking for, but already sold out
And one from Van Wade
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Comments (30)It's a beautiful plant, Melati. I'm attempting not to buy any more hosta for a while. I went to pick up that Wolverine that Ludi talked me into, and there was a gorgeous Night Before Christmas. Then, on my way out of the store, I saw the most gorgeous Minuteman I've ever seen in real life. Francee does really well here, so that seemed like a good decision. I have two LS Cindy Cee's on the way, too. Manhattan will have to wait. I've run out of space and shade. Thanks for the photo. bk...See MoreWade Gatton order arrived
Comments (1)Oh my, Mocc. AHHHHH I'm gonna order something tonight, I'm just gonna! Thanks for the friendly shove to my 'favorites' bar, Mocc...Green Mountain is calling my credit card. Or maybe Hallson Gardens is. : ) Don B....See MoreWade and Gatton trip
Comments (11)Phil: I missed the monster S&S this time. And yes, I agree they are pricey. That's why I didn't buy anything there yesterday. Actually the ones I was specifically looking for there that were on their website, they didn't have....See MoreWade and Gatton visit, the polyhouses
Comments (23)Eleven, Thanks for all the information, correct I bought 4. I just found out about Emerald Forest this year and planned to go there too. I do order from Hallson's. Ken, I bought all 4 listed, but only Fat Cat was on my list . This year, I'm trying to limit myself to large variegated varieties. So that limitation was part of my issue. Yes, I've been there before and yes Van was born in 1930. I spoke with Van and I mentioned he had quit a year and he said he had donated a lot of hostas this year. I never thought of calling ahead. I will always do that now. I even talked with the lady who does the ordering, forget her name, but she said they were way sold out. I luv that place and will go back, but next time I will call ahead and go in late May. They do still go by the number of eyes, but felt sorry for me and let me sneak a 3 eye passed the "eye counter police". lol :)...See Moresteve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years agoJust a vast sea of Hosta
And tags for them all. It was like walking through the Hosta Library.
And finished the day off with dinner at Malabar Farm Restaurant. Only 15 minutes away. I might even be able to tempt the wife back in a couple of weeks (for dinner of course) Just don't take our table.
steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoSo what did I take home? Only 4 from my list of 10, 1 other from my list of 70 and 6 spur of the moment (it could have been a lot more).
From top to bottom, left to right
Lakeside Full Tide --- Tidewater
Gila River --- Star Power --- Night Shift --- Wave Runner (new favorite)
Frozen Margarita --- Frisian Pride --- Illicit Affair --- Cosmos --- Galaxy
Mega Caramel Dwarf Solomon's Seal Ligularia Marie Crawford
and some closeups - Tidewater
Gila River got attacked by L. Full Tide on the way home
Wave Runner - teaser
Night Shift - luminescent
Star Power - cupped, wavy edges and green veins
Cosmos - where did this come from? Van Wade, of course!
and put to bed for the night
steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI'll trade you one for "The Queen". I think they only had one or two left. It was one of the two that cost me more than $25 since there were so many eyes in the pot and I didn't want it divided.
Oh, I almost forgot. They showed me this streaked Praying Hands they found.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years agosteve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5lindalana 5b Chicago
5 years agosteve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
5 years ago
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada