Hostas - District 10 Como Community Council

Hostas
Shade Gardening with
Minnesota’s Non-Native Native
David Arbeit
District 10 Environment Committee Lecture Series
April 14, 2013
When Will We Know It’s Spring?
Emerging Hostas Will Tell Us
Hosta’s for Shady Woodlands
Hosta’s for Shady Gardens
A Como Example
Hosta’s: How They Got Here
• Hostas are from Asia, where they’ve been cultivated
since at least the 12th century.
• Used in Japanese garden architecture because of lovely
form and color. Young leaves eaten as vegetables.
• Appeared in US shortly after doctor/botanist Philipp von
Siebold sent Japanese hostas to Europe in 1830s.
• Named for Dr. Nicholas Host (1761-1834), physician to
Austrian emperor. Also known as Funkia.
• Easily hybridized, there are now more than 3,000
cultivars registered by AHS.
Some Hostas are Old
‘Ventricosa’
(Stearn 1931)
Became known to European naturalists
traveling in China during the latter part of
the 18th century.
Native to China and northern Korea. One
of the first species to be grown in Europe.
It did not receive its modern species name
until 1931 (Stearn).
It has widely bell-shaped purple flowers
and dark green shiny leaves and makes an
excellent landscape hosta.
Served as the classic watercolor model for
hosta painting.
Some Hostas are Old and Common
‘Undulata Albomarginata’
(Maekawa 1936)
Hosta ‘Undulata Albomarginata’ has been
the most commonly planted hosta for the
last hundred years.
The dark green leaves of a young Undulata
Albomarginata are thin and smooth, but it
develops a slight corrugation as it matures
and the white margins seem to blend into
the green, creating a very pretty effect.
Unfortunately slugs love it too, and without
slug protection it can look pretty awful in
just a few weeks.
Some Hostas are Very Large
‘Empress Wu’
(Brian & Virginia Skaggs 2008)
Grows 4’ to 6’ in height.
One of largest new hybrids, only
now becoming available.
Some Hostas are Very Small
‘Teeny Weenie Bikini’
(Ed Elslager 2000)
One of smallest hybrids.
Grows to a couple of inches high and 4
to 6” wide.
A Susan Jane favorite!!
Some Hostas are Blue
‘Halcyon’
(E. Smith/BHHS 1988)
Color: Blue
Size: 15 x 30
Habit: Mounding
Sun Exposure: Partial/Full shade
Flower: Lavender
Is recognized as one of the all-time finest
blue hostas.
Holds its color well, is a vigorous grower,
has good substance, is durable, and is
“gardener tolerant.”
Parent of many: June, El Nino, First Frost
Some Hostas are Yellow
‘Fire Island’
(Bill Brincka 1998)
Color: Yellow
Size: 12 x 20
Habit: Mounding
Sun Exposure: Partial/Full shade
Flower:Purple
Origin: longipes f. hypoglauca x
'Crested Surf'
Brightens up shady areas.
Red petioles!
“Viridescent”
Some Hostas are Ripply
‘Clovelly’
(K. Terpening 05)
Color: Green
Size: 18 x 30
Habit: Mounding
Flower: Lavender
Origin: longipes f. hypoglauca x 'Crested
Surf'
One of best ruffled leaf edges of any hosta.
Horizontally held leaves with deep piecrust
edges. Even young plants show ruffling.
Named for the pebbled streets of Clovelly,
England because mature leaves show
some pebbling or dimpling on the surface.
Some Hostas are Ripply and Blue
‘Queen of the Seas’
(M. Seaver 2001)
Color: Blue-Green
Size: Large (48” x 24”)
Habit: Mounding
Flower: Lavender
This spectacular hosta has lightly twisted,
pointed leaves with a heavily rippled,
piecrust margin and a serrated edge.
It will become a spectacular plant when
mature and the blue color.
One of the most dramatic “piecrust edged
hostas” available.
Hostas of the Year
In 1996, the American Hosta Growers Association
established the competition for Hosta of the Year.
The winner is selected to represent hostas that are:
• good garden plants in all a regions of the country
• widely available and in sufficient supply
• retail for about $15 in the year of selection.
The Hosta of the Year list is a good basis for starting a
hosta collection.
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
1996: ‘So Sweet’
1997: ‘Patriot’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
1998: ‘Fragrant Bouquet’
1999: ‘Paul’s Glory’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2000: ‘Sagae’
2001: ‘June’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2002: ‘Guacamole’
2003: ‘Regal Splendor’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2004: ‘Sum and Substance’
2005: ‘Striptease’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2006: ‘Stained Glass’
2007: ‘Paradigm’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2008: ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
2009: ‘Earth Angel’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2010: ‘First Frost’
2011: ‘Praying Hands’
Hostas of the Year
Since 1996, the AHGA has identified a “Hosta of the Year”.
2012: ‘Liberty’
2013: ‘Rainforest Sunrise’
The Hosta Palette
Here’s a sample of hostas that comprise the palette of
hundreds of hosta cultivars that are available at
reasonable cost.
‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’
(Walden West 1989)
Color - Blue
Size – Medium/Large
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - White
Parent – H. Tokukama x H. sieboldiana
Large blue hosta that's always in demand
with very round and puckered leaves that
are deeply cupped.
Great substance, good color and white
flowers make this a desirable specimen.
Large mound size at maturity.
‘Abiqua Moonbeam’
(Walden West 1987)
Color – Blue/Gold
Size – Medium/Large
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - Lavender
Parent - sport of ‘August Moon‘
Leaves have wide gold margins around a
blue-green center and are topped with
lavender flowers.
Great substance and clumps up fast.
Large mound size at maturity.
‘Allan P. McConnell’
(McConnell/M. Seaver 1980)
Color – Green/White edge
Size – Small (18” x 6”)
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom – Dark purple
Parent - nakaiana seedling
Small, inexpensive hosta.
Leaves have a fine white edge which
varies considerably in width.
Dark purple, bell-shaped flowers
appear in mid-July and August.
Grows into a neat compact mound and
is ideal for anybody with limited garden
space. Fast grower.
‘Alligator Shoes’
(Benedict/Hatfield 1995)
Color – Blue-green/Cream edge
Size – Medium
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom – Lavender
Parent - 'Dorothy Benedict' x montana
The leaf is wide with a tapered point
and the color blue-green with a creamwhite edge.
The texture and substance give this
plant its character. It has lots of
pebbling and seersuckering.
Will grow well in the sun but looks
better in partial shade.
'Aristocrat'
(Walter's Gardens, 1997)
Color - Variegated
Size - Dwarf (9"ht x 18"w)
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Lavender
Parent -sport of 'Hadspen Blue‘
Very nice heart-shaped powder blue
leaves with a wide creamy yellow
margin lightening to a creamy white or
white during the season.
Light lavender blooms in late summer.
‘Baby Bunting’
(Savory 1982)
Color – Blue/Green
Size – Dwarf
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom – Lavender
Parent - 'Rough Waters' hybrid
Considered by many to be one of the
best dwarf hostas.
It has round, pointed blue-green leaves
and bell-shaped white flowers.
At maturity it may be 12" in diameter
and only 6" high.
Parent of many other dwarfs.
‘Pandora’s Box’
(Hansen/Shady Oaks Nursery 1996)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf (4"ht x 10"w)
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Purple
Parent - sport of 'Baby Bunting'
Despite its diminutive size, this hosta is
a show stopper.
White leaf centers with a dark green
margin.
A lighter green area appears in the leaf
where the white and green meet.
Purple flowers in early summer.
‘Blue Mouse Ears'
(Deckert, 2000)
Color – Blue
Size – Dwarf (5”ht x 9”w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – unknown
Small round gray-green leaves with
incredible substance.
Lavender flowers in mid-summer are
on short scapes that are in perfect
proportion to the clump size.
A must have for the rock garden.
‘Cameo'
(Hansen/Shady Oaks 2002)
Color – Variegated
Size – Dwarf (4"ht x 12"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – sport of ‘Baby Bunting’
The latest in the series of ‘Baby
Bunting’ sports.
Essentially the reverse pattern of
‘Pandora’s Box’ with green leaves
edged with a creamy white margin.
Lavender flowers in early summer.
‘Cat’s Eyes'
(Japan NR)
Color – Medio-variegated
Size – Dwarf (5"ht x 14"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – venusta hybrid
An outstanding variegated dwarf for the
rock garden or trough.
Creamy white foliage with a thin green
margin.
Lavender flowers in July.
‘Cherish'
(Hansen/Shady Oaks Nursery NR)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Purple
Parent - sport of 'Baby Bunting'
The latest in a series of sports of 'Baby
Bunting'.
Small round leaves have a streaky
yellow center which fades to near-white
by mid-summer.
Perfect for a rock garden or raised bed.
‘Fantasy Island‘
(Solberg 2002)
Color – Medio-variegated
Size – Dwarf (7"ht x 12"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – TC sport of ‘Island Charm’
This amazing sport of ‘Island Charm’
has incredible vigor.
The wide green margin is slightly
rippled with a white center.
Flower scapes are pinkish with pink
seed pods.
Medium lavender flowers in midsummer.
‘Hope‘
(Hansen/Shady Oaks Nursery 1999)
Color - Variegated
Size - Dwarf (3"ht x 9"w)
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - Purple
Parent - sport of 'Baby Bunting‘
Gold edged sport of 'Baby Bunting.'
Nice companion plant to 'Pandora's
Box‘ for the rock garden or stone
trough.
Tiny purple bell-shaped flowers in
early summer.
‘Komodo Dragon’
(Seaver 2004)
Color – Green (Grayish)
Size – Very Large
Habit – Upright
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – 'Donahue Piecrust' seedling
Stunner of a clump! The heavily rippled
dark green pointed leaves stretch
outward to form an impressive upright 7'
wide clump.
Don't plant one of these unless you have
plenty of room.
Large, loose piecrust edge on large dark
green leaves.
‘Lakeside Elfin Fire‘
(Chastain 2000)
Color – Medio-variegated
Size – Dwarf (5"ht x 10"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Purple
Parent – hybrid of ‘Little White Lines’ x
‘seedling’
An unusual dwarf with thin green
margins and white centers that are
speckled green.
A vigorous grower. Purple flowers in
mid-summer.
‘Little Sunspot’
(Briggs 1996)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf (5"ht x 12"w)
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - Lavender
Parent - sport of 'Little Aurora‘
Dramatic wide green margins with a
brilliant gold center- reverse of
'Sultana'.
Variegation pattern is much wider than
'Just So'.
Light lavender flowers in early
summer.
Sensational !!!
‘Masquerade’
(England NR)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf (6"ht x 18"w)
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Purple
Parent - unknown (from Japan)
A flashy hosta sure to capture the
attention of the dwarf hosta collector.
Forms clumps of tiny white centered
leaves edged by a green margin.
Purple flowers in mid-summer.
‘Maui Buttercups’
(W Vaughn 1991)
Color – Bright Yellow
Size - Small (14“ x 10”)
Habit - Mounding
Bloom – Light lavender
Parent - 'Frances Williams' x 'August
Moon‘
Rounded, medium yellow leaves are
cupped and rugose with a leathery
substance that gives them a sculptural
quality in the garden.
The flowers are light violet and flared.
Grows quite slowly at first but finally
attains an average growth rate.
‘Medusa’
(Herold 1993)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf (12” x 6”)
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Lavender
Parent - 'Neat Splash' x gracillima
Very long, snake-like leaves with yellow
centers and green margins.
The leaves have a rippled edge.
This gracillima hybrid has lavender
flowers in early summer.
‘On Stage’
(Japan/Paul Aden 1986)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size – Medium/Large
Habit - Mounding
Bloom - Lavender
Parent – ‘Montana’ sport
Known as 'Cho Ko Nishiki' in Japan.
Reversed form of montana 'Aureomarginata'.
Emerges very late in spring with a bright
gold center that changes later to white,
then to a light/dark green contrast late in
the season.
When planted in morning sun, it holds its
color better through the summer.
‘Praying Hands’
(G. Williams 1996)
Color – Green
Size – Small
Habit – Unique/Upright/Twisted
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – Unknown
One of the weirdest introductions to
come along: extremely elongated dark
green leaves have a waxy sheen and a
very thin yellow rippled border.
They are folded and wavy, giving a
twisted appearance and look like no
other hosta leaf.
Light lavender flowers will appear
midsummer.
‘Radio Waves’
(Johnson NR)
Color – Medio-variegated
Size – Dwarf (6"ht x 17"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – seedling of ‘Shining Tot’
A flash of variegation in the spring with
a center band of chartreuse.
Real value is its attractive waviness
and fast growth rate.
An ideal edging plant or ground cover
with pale lavender flowers in August
‘Golden Tiara’
(Savory 1977)
Color – Green/yellow edge
Size – Small
Habit - Dense mound (20” wide)
Bloom – Lavender
Parent - nakaiana seedling
Outstanding hosta that “revolutionalized”
the small/medium hosta world.
Small vigorous grower.
Great as a specimen or as a border in
the shade garden. Topped with
numerous spikes of lavender flowers!
Robert Savory was a major celebrity in
Japan for this hosta.
‘Emerald Tiara’
(Walters Gardens 1988)
Color – Gold/green edge
Size – Small
Habit - Dense mound (24” wide)
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – Mutation of ‘Golden Tiara’ –
possibly a 'Golden Scepter' sport
Medium sized gold with green margin. A
very choice plant.
This reverse mutation of H. 'Golden
Tiara' boasts the same round leaves, but
with gold centers and a nice green edge.
Vigorous clump that sports hundreds of
dark lavender flowers in summer
‘Royal Tiara’
(T&Z Nursery/Zilis 1988)
Color – Medio-variegated
Size – Dwarf (8"ht x 17"w)
Habit – Mounding
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – sport of ‘Golden Tiara’
The most unusual of the “Tiaras”
known for its very odd, gnarled, white
centered foliage with a pale green
margin.
Good grower.
Lavender flowers in July.
‘Tokudama’
(Maekawa 1940/AHS 1993)
Color – Blue/Gray
Size – Medium
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - Lavender
Found in Japanese gardens and
brought to Europe in the mid-1800s.
Highly puckered, cupped blue-gray
leaves.
Very slow grower.
It frequently sports and many
variegated forms exist.
Will create many seedlings.
‘Tokudama Falvocircinalis’
(Maekawa/AHS 1987)
Color – Blue/Green with Gold Edge
Size – Medium/Large
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - White
Parent – H. Tokukama x H. sieboldiana
Nearly round, slightly cupped, rippled
leaves have blue-green centers which
change to dark green by midsummer
Wide, irregular margin is chartreuse to
medium gold
Near white flowers appear on 25-30
inch scapes in early to midsummer
Leaves are off the ground and leaves
are thick – pretty slug resistant.
‘Tortifrons’
(Maekawa 1940/Schmid/AHS 2002)
Color – Green
Size – Very Small
Habit – Twisty/Unruly
Bloom – Light Lavender
Parent – 'Tardiflora' sport
Called Kogarashi Giboshi, the “autumn
wind hosta.”
Found in a garden near Tokyo.
Late blooming (“in the autumn wind”).
Fertile with some of the seedlings
exhibiting its odd twisted appearance.
Difficult to grow well.
‘Twist of Lime’
(Banyai/Solberg 1991)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Dwarf (6"ht x 10"w)
Habit - Dense mound
Bloom - Purple
Parent - sport of 'Lemon Lime‘
Yellow leaves are bordered by a narrow
dark green margin.
Vigorous growth rate and small habit
lend it to many uses in the shady
landscape.
Purple flowers in mid-summer.
‘Whirlwind’
(John Kulpa 1989)
Color - Medio-variegated
Size - Medium
Habit - Twisting mound
Bloom - Lavender
Parent - 'Fortunei Hyacinthina' sport
A shiny dark green margin surrounds
the center which changes from pale
green to creamy white with green
striping during the growing season.
Leaves are slightly twisted, curved and
heavy substance.
Lavender flowers on 30" scapes.
Fast grower.
Hosta Names
Babbling Brook
Baby Blue
Baby Blue Eyes
Baby Boomer
Baby Bunting
Baby Doll
Baby Kim
Baby Sunspot
Back Bay
Bacon and Eggs
Backyard Monster
Baja Sunset
Ballerina
Balloons
Ballroom Bubbles
Banana Boat
Banana Muffins
Banana Sundae
Band of Gold
Banyai's Dancing Girl
Barbara
Barbara Ann
Barbarosa
Barney Fife
Cabaret
Cadillac
Caesar
Cajun Sunrise
Calamity Jane
Calico Cat
California Dreamin'
Calypso
Camelot
Cameo
Camouflage
Canadian Foreign Affairs
Canadian Blue
Canadian Shield
Candelabra
Candlelight
Candle Glow
Candle In The Dark
Candle Wax
Candlewood
Candy Cane
Candy Dish
Candy Striper
Canterbury Tales
Fair Maiden
Fairway Green
Fairy Frolic
Faith
Faithful Heart
Fall Bouquet
Fall Memories
Fallen Angel
Fallen From Grace
Falling Waters
Fan Dance
Fandango
Fantabulous
Fantasia
Fantastic
Fantasy Island
Fascination
Fascinator
Fashion Statement
Fatal Attraction
Fate
Fat Boy
Fat Cat
Fat Cheeks
Yankee Blue
Yankee Blue Lightning
Yankee Clipper
Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Yellow Bird
Yellow Boa
Yellow Duckling
Yellow Emperor
Yellow Eyes
Yellow Flame
Yellow Flash
Yellow Highness
Yellow Jacket
Yellow Lollipop
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
Yellow Ribbons
Yellow River
Yellow Splash
Yellow Splash Rim
Yellow Submarine
Yellow Swoosh
Yellowtail
Yesterday’s Memories
‘Gypsy Rose’
(Jim Anderson 2003)
Color – Green/Gold
Size – Medium
Habit – Dense mound
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – Sport of ‘Striptease’
Starts resembling ‘Striptease’ but stays
considerably smaller and, in the opinion
of some, has better, cleaner color.
It has the same dark green margin, while
the center of the leaf changes from
lighter green to creamy yellow, with the
distinctive narrow white line between the
center and margin.
‘Elvis Lives’
(Tony Avent 1995)
Color – Blue
Size – Large (48 x 25)
Habit – Dense mound
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – 'Peter Pan' x 'Green Fountain'
Strong growth rate and a dense moundlike habit.
Dusty blue leaf fades during the summer.
The leaf has a slightly rippled margin, is
slightly shiny on top with glaucous bloom
underneath.
Lance-shaped leaves with a rounded
base and good substance.
‘Marilyn Monroe’
(Jim Hawes/P. & J. Ruh 2005)
Color – Green
Size – Medium
Habit – 30” wide clump
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – longipes 'Urajiro Hachijo' hybrid
Light colored leaves, uniform wavy edge,
white back, leaves with every flower,
pointed tip.
‘My Child Insook’
(Herb Benedict 1995)
Color – White/Green
Size – Very Large
Habit – 30” wide clump
Bloom – Lavender
Parent – 'Outrageous' sport
Holds record for highest
price ever paid for a hosta.
$4,100 !!!
Shiny, ivory white leaves with dark
green edge and chartreuse jetting
towards the midrib.
Pale lavender flowers are produced
atop tall scapes in mid to late
summer.
Best in light to moderate shade.
Growing Them
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Shade Tolerant/Not Shade Loving
Watering
Fertilizing
Mulching
Pests – Slugs
Diseases – Virus
Dividing Hostas
Hosta Virus X
Many hostas are turning up that
are infected with a virus called
Hosta Virus X (HVX).
The most commonly seen ones
are plants of 'Gold Standard',
'Striptease', and 'Sum and
Substance', but other common
varieties are being reported
infected in large numbers.
While this disease does not kill
plants, its primary danger lies in
its proven ability to spread
prolifically.
Where to Find Them
Heschke Gardens
11503 77th St S
Hastings, MN
St. Paul Farmer’s
Market
Great selection
Good prices
Weekly special
Healthy plants
Where to Find Them
Savory’s
Gardens
5300 Whiting Avenue
Edina, MN
Open May 1
Gardens Open June 1
Hybridizer and
grower since 1946
804 listed varieties
Where to Find Them
Funkie Gardens
19713 Quinnell Ave.
Marine on St. Croix,
MN 55047
Great selection.
Worth the trip!
Hosta Literature
The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas
Diane Grenfell & Michael Shadrack
Pocket Guide to Hostas
Diane Grenfell & Michael Shadrack
The Hostapedia: A Hosta Encyclopedia
Mark R. Zilis
Learning About Hostas
• Books
• Web Sites
– Hostalibrary – www.hostalibrary.org
– Shady Oaks – www.shadyoaks.com
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Visits to gardens and nurseries
Minnesota Hosta Society
American Hosta Society
Minnesota Arboretum
Hostas
Shade Gardening with
Minnesota’s Non-Native Native
David Arbeit
District 10 Environment Committee Lecture Series
April 14, 2013