I bought an inexpensive irrigation system at Lowes, Mister Landerscaper. It's on a timer and cools the hostas during the hottest part of the day with a mist. Here's the ones I have growing in the hottest part of our gardens. These would burn up if I didn't cool them down with the mist. Here's another one I have growing on the opposite side in full sun. Alex Summers gets even more sun than these and I haven't updated the misting to that part of the sun garden yet: On the left, Peter Ruh, middle back, Sun Power, middle front, Made You look, right is Captain Kirk: Other ones in full sun are Mister Watson, Sum & Subtle, Sum & Substance, Karin, Gin & Tonic, Linda Sue. Gesila

I have them both. Blue Angel grows faster, but I think Blue Mammoth is lovelier. It's bigger, more rugose, and the leaves are rounder. I think Mammoth is more of a powder blue while Blue Angel is more of a blue green, at least in my garden. Those are all traits I like very much. But they are both beautiful and either will make you happy, I'm sure. Lainey

Blue Angel is registered as maturing to 36 inches tall and 60 inches wide, and would be expected to reach that size under average garden conditions. My largest BA is most definitely Blue Angel, not some other variety. It came to me from Jerry Hadrava, who was a noted hybridizer and grower, and who knew more about the growing of hostas than anyone else I have met. I never saw a mislabeled plant on his acreage--he was scrupulous about accuracy in labeling. It's been in place for over 15 years, hence the wide spread. I don't see any claim or mention of BA growing 4 feet tall other than in Ken's post, nor have I ever seen one that approaches 4 feet in height. In fact I have yet to see a hosta of any variety that is over 4 feet tall--most that look that tall measure out around 40-42 inches. I have found over the course of decades of growing my own hostas and visiting many other hosta gardens that in almost every garden, there will be a few varieties that are sited in the perfect spot and exceed the registered size. This is obviously more apparent in hosta varieties that are larger, but if you measure enough hostas, you will also find oversized clumps of medium and small varieties, too. Other examples in my own garden include Green Piecrust, registered as a large, which grows to 39 inches tall and around 6 feet across, Pacific Blue Edger, registered as small, which gets to 18 inches tall and 36-40 inches across, Tokudama Aureonebulosa and Flavocircilanis, registered as small to medium, which grow to 24 inches tall and over 3 feet across, and Venusta, which although only 3-4 inches tall, has clumped out to 36 inches across. In contrast, neither of my Sum & Substance plants has ever gone over 3 feet in height--they don't get enough sun and are not well sited. Of course it does help to live in Iowa--Mark Zilis has said repeatedly that Iowa has the largest hostas in the country. Some areas of the country will naturally produce larger hostas than other areas. This is a result not only of climate, but of soil and water composition. I'm intrigued by the idea of growing BA in a raised pot. It would have to be a very, very large pot, because BA has robust roots, and would be easily stunted in too small a container. Both of my more mature BA have root systems that spread out nearly as far as the leaf spread, and they run down around 12 inches. You would also want to provide supplemental feeding every year, and plenty of water. But if a BA could be brought to a normal 36 x 60 size in a pot, it would be spectacular.

Cathedral Windows is one of the Plantaginea family, and they all thrive in full sun. In fact, they need at least 1/2 sun to flower consistently. Earth Angel will also take full sun, and it grows like a weed. Keep in mind that it will be huge at maturity--around 8 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height. Queen Josephine does better with partial shade. In full sun the edges are slightly prone to burning. So Sweet will take full sun and look good all season. Praying Hands not only will take full sun, it won't grow very well unless it's in full sun. All the really nice specimens of this variety that I've seen are in full sun. I've not had any experience with either Count Your Blessings or Jubilee. Blue Maui will grow in full sun just fine, but will lose it's lovely blue coloration very quickly in the spring. I recommend that you plant that one in mostly shade. Plenty of water is essential for any hosta growing in full sun. Mulch is also helpful in retaining moisture. Water often and deeply, and try to avoid getting water droplets on the leaves on a hot, sunny day, as that may cause spot burns.