I have some similar species that also go from ugly to full in the same time. Can you tell if they are the same stems in the first pic and the last one? In other words, the ones here dry up and die, but from buds at the base of the plant come this year's plants. The old ones are actually on their way out and look like crapola. In a couple of weeks the new ones come out and redeem themselves. In my case, it has nothing to do with light, it is the passing of winter into spring that triggers the make over. Like some of the other posters, I agree that it is now getting less light. The bigger leaves, the loss of the hair are all usual signs of less light.

Well, I tried this with a couple others as well. The other varieties don't show as *big* a difference, but they do all show the same difference. The bigger of the two is the one grown under flourescents. Two 4' 25 watt bulbs. Let me explain something about sunlight here in Chicago. There often isn't any. Lots of apt. buildings, so oftentimes one person's building is blocking out your light. This is true for me for 4 months out of the year. So my south window light is not diffused. It's obstructed, which is to say when the sun is in a position when the building blocks the light, there is no sunlight at all, only a vague brightness. When the sun is high enough, there is full on sunlight. The sun did return to my apt. and life about 5 weeks ago. However, there are still LOTS of days when it just isn't sunny here. Today is one of them. Two days before was another. The day before that was another. This is one horribly gloomy place. Did I mention I hate it here? *sigh* If you're in some lovely almost always sunny place like, oh say, Huntington Beach :-), results should be different. But here, not so. Though my bright north windows (which, when the sun isn't falling on the south windows, are overall brighter) are enough to maintain an already adult plant. So, yeah, the bigger one was grown under artificial lights. MK, what happens when you try to grow your Tiny Moon Goddess under flourescents?

Wonderful specimens! Thank you so much for sharing your hosta and garden pix--which includes the Clematis, anytime, along with any other 'companions' you may have! :o) I've not had a lot of success with clematis either, but I'm starting again with a 'Jackmanni'! I figure if I fail with that one--I need to give it up! I guess one of the *secrets* is to bury the plant about 2-3" deeper than it's potted, up over the growing stems by that much! I did 2"--we'll see! So far, it's climbing! janice

Barb, I am afraid to look! A very late night... Be right back...coffeeeeeee, lol Went outside - brrr... no sign of frost or snow but a bit of slush is trying to descend from the heavens but I think it just gave up. Going down to 0 tonight...leaving sheets/canvas in place for the day since Social commitment won't afford me time tonight to re-cover. West side of house uncovered, half of east side uncovered also, under deck there are unfurled hostas - also no protection, right side of landing as well, unfurled hostas in front island bed are on their own too. :( The tallest unfurling hostas have cover only. Ran out of pots as most big ones went to daughter when we dug up her hostas in prep for a move. Barb, your DH just won the "devoted man of the day" award! Love that gesture - speaks volumes - lucky you! :-).