I am pleased to announce that our hosta beds are, for the first time ever, ready for viewing. Initially I wasn't too interested in hostas, but then again I didn't realize the number of varieties available - over 3,000 and counting! Our "collection" is small at around 130, but they definitely add interest in our shady yard where not much else likes to grow.
For you hosta lovers out there, I do have a few "mystery" plants. Any suggestions on what they might be would be much appreciated!
This bed built into our patio (hand-laid by yours truly) contains our miniature hostas. Along the back from the left we have our "tiaras" - "Diamond Tiara," "Grand Tiara," "Golden Tiara," and "Emerald Tiara." In the front row we have "Floridora," "Baby Bunting," "Gold Edger," and "Pilgrim." That little one by itself in the middle is "Pandora's Box."
Not visible in the photo above, the smallest of our miniatures, "Blue Mouse Ears."
Looking out from the patio, there's "Rhino Hide" on the left and "Samurai" on the right.
We like to group our hostas in themed beds. On the other side of the wishing well is our "Evening Bed," with "Abiqua Blue Crinkles," "Abiqua Moonbeam," "Moon River," and "Dream Queen" in the back row and "Dream Weaver" and "Twilight" in the front.
And here's our first mystery. Since it's planted in the "Evening" bed, it could be that the name fits into that category. On the other hand, it was one of my final purchases last fall and it may have just been put there temporarily to get it into the ground. Unfortunately, the tag has disappeared - disposed of along with the multitudes of leaves more likely than not - so we have no idea of who this might be.
Looking back toward the patio, to the left of the stairs we have "June" and "August Moon"...
and to the right of the stairs is "September Sun." "Carnival," center, will have to move when Bob's mom brings us a piece of her "Red October" later this summer. On the right is "Sagae."
Continuing along the wall, next to "Sagae" we have "Fried Bananas" heading up our "Food Bed." The tiny one next to it is "Peppermint Ice" who's expected to grow up to 16" tall. The next one back is "Pineapple Upside-down Cake," followed by "So Sweet," "Honey Bells" (next to the tree), "Hyacinthia," and the leaf just poking out from behind the tree is one of our bigger hostas, "Frances Williams." Center front of this photo is "Lemon Lime" and to the right is one of my favorites - "Guacamole."
On the other side of the tree, next to "Guacamole" we have "Ice Cream" and behind that, "Spilt Milk."
My mother-in-law, who is the closest thing we have to a hosta expert, thinks that this is not really "Spilt Milk." Any ideas who it may be?
Looking up toward the patio we have our "Patriotic" beds. The lower bed (from left to right) is home to "Patriot" and "American Halo" (not visible), "Revolution," "Paul's Glory," "Minuteman," "Blue Cadet," "Salute" and "Liberty."
The upper bed contains "Blazing Saddles" and "Montana" (not visible), "Golden Meadows" - one of my favorites with its ruffled leaves - "Midwest Magic," "Color Glory" (for the most part hidden behind "Paul's Glory" in front), "Mama Mia," "Big Daddy," "Last Dance" and "Abba Dabba Do."
Here's our little "Dude" next to "Paul's Glory" taken a couple weeks ago. Look how much it's grown in that short amount of time!
Beneath the "Food" bed we have our bed of "Riches." "Guardian Angel" is in the front right corner, followed by "Earth Angel" (back), "Stained Glass" (front), and "Antioch" (back).
Again here's "Antioch" and the narrow-leaved "Praying Hands," followed by "Cathedral Windows" in the back and our next mystery guest on the right and below.
This hosta was deliberately planted here, but it's right between heavenly riches and earthly riches and I'm not sure which group it belongs to.
To the left of the Bleeding Heart we again see "Cathedral Windows" and our mystery plant, while to the right in the back row we have "Fortunie Altopicta," "Krossa Regal" and "Regal Splendor." "Piedmont Gold," "Queen Josephine," and Emerald Tiara" complete the front row.
Here's a look at all the lower terraces.
Looking towards the other side of the house we have our "Water" bed headed up by "Sea Fire." Going up along the right side of the photo we have "Pearl Lake," "Lakeside Kaleidoscope," and the one with the massive leaves in the back is "Titanic." Going across the back along the rocks is "Lakeside Accolade" and "Lakeside Black Satin." In the center, directly behind "Sea Fire" is a little "Island Charm." Going back along the steps is "Lakeside Lollipop," "Yellow Splash Rim," "Maui Buttercups," "Fire Island" and "St. Elmo's Fire."
Notice the red stems on "Fire Island."
Opposite the "Water Bed" we have "Moerheim" (back right), "Great Expectations" in front of a painted fern, with "Sum and Substance" in the foreground.
With Bob being a U of M fan, we had to have a "Blue" bed. In the foreground is "Blue Angel," then "Wolverine." Zigzagging in and out beyond the Coral Bells we have "Big Blue," "Blue Shadows," "Blue Umbrellas" is the great big one and in front of that is "Blue Wedgewood."
Adjacent to "Blue Umbrellas" there is "Thunderbolt" (back right), "El Nino" (back left), and in the front, "Whirlwind." We've tried "Dancing in the Rain" here a couple times, but so far we haven't had much luck keeping it alive.
"Venus" is at the corner of the house, with "Wide Brim" in front of it and "Brim Cup" to the right. The single leaf on the right of that is "Captain Kirk" (I thought he should be near "Venus.")
The single leaf on the left is "Love Pat." "Risky Business" is in the front, "Knockout" is center back, and "Striptease" is in the back right corner. The small plant right front is "Stiletto."
"Diana Remembered" heads up our "Names" bed, followed by "Sharmon," "Alex Summers," "Allan P. McConnell," "Albo-Marginata," and "Inniswood." Going up along the right side of this photo are "Alvatine Taylor," "Barbara Ann" and "Fragrant Bouquet."
Looking down the side of the house from the other end.
On one side of the front porch we have our "City Slicker" bed with "Pizzazz" and "Touch of Class" in the back and "Bright Lights," "City Lights," and "Cadillac" in the front.
The other side of the front porch is home to our "Winter" bed. "Night Before Christmas" is on the left, "Christmas Tree" is in the center, and on the right is another favorite, "Ice Age Trail."
Continuing from "Ice Age Trail" on the left is "Fire and Ice," "First Frost," and "Snowcap."
Thanks for coming along on our Hosta Tour! If you have any suggestions of who our mystery plants might be, please leave a comment!
Blessings,
Lisa
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There's something mystical and magic about the groupings of some of those. You're so very organised!
Thanks for linking up!
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
These are really gorgeous! Thank you for linking on Sharing His Beauty - I enjoyed finding you there. Penny Lane @ www.SistersRaisingSisters.com
The names of some of these plants cause me to want to dance! They are lovely and thank you for sharing your awesome photos with us here at "Tell me a Story." You must encourage visitors to come view your garden. Do you belong to a Garden Club? Perhaps it would be good to join if you aren't a member and invite guests in to view your wonderful plants.
I'm not a hosta fan, but they fill part of my yard now and increasing. The main reason: easy to deal with, easily spread about, good. I certainly understand the direction you have gone.
Bless you...
A beautiful garden. I like this rocks line you have created. Your garden looks very green and fresh. Love it.
Oh, I love hostas! Man, I thought we had a lot. 130! Wow! They look absolutely lovely.
I'd love it if you join us Thursday at:
The HomeAcre Hop
~Ann
3,000 varieties? We have only one, but I do love their clean look and all the shades of green. Beautiful! Love the tiered, raised garden!
Your organization and labeling is amazing, and I LOVE hostas too. Who knew there were so many varieties?
I have always been intimidated by hostas. I see hope!
Wow--I've got to get more hostas! I like them not to be just green. I just added a new miniature hosta to my pot garden this year. I think it was called, "cameo."
Also, I read a tip in Pinterest that putting shavings of Irish Spring soap in your hosta beds will keep deer and rabbits away--if that might be a problem where you live. Slugs are an issue where I live and I put down bait.
Your thumbs are beyond green ...
Thanks for splashing with us and linking up to splash other mommas as well.
Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/05/momma-notes.html
Be blessed bunches,
Sarah
Oh, my! I'm getting hosta envy. Yours are wonderful. I have a few, but lost some the last two years because of the heat and drought. I wish I had a good spot for mine..they seem to do better in pots for me, but I put some in the pine island this year. It's funny, but I was looking at a huge Sum and Substance at Walmart today. I may just have to go back and buy it. I've never seen one that large at a garden center before. Thanks for sharing your awesome garden. Visiting from The HomeAcre Hop.
Babs
Wow! Super impressive, I love your yard!!
Oh what a grand gift you've given my senior mom. We may be dealing with a shady garden for her gardening activities soon and these will be great for her. I'd forgotten all about them til you reminded me. Thank you :)
Love them! I am a hosta collector myself and your beds inspire me! Awesome!
Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop! Hope to see you again today at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/06/the-homeacre-hop-25-exciting-news.html
Stop by and say hi to our new co-host!