A year ago today I put in a Hosta garden

Me being me, I forgot to take photos before clearing the weeds and digging out about 6inches (150mm) of earth, stones and small rocks...

2011-05-15: Preparing site for new Hosta garden





2011-05-15: Preparing site for new Hosta garden





2011-05-15: Preparing site for new Hosta garden, concrete edging installed





2011-05-15: Preparing site for new Hosta garden, concrete edging installed





2011-05-18: Hosta garden completed (or so I thought at the time)





2012-05-15: One year on from installing Hosta garden, 7 additional Hostas have been added, 5 of the additions were given to me by a neighbour, the "Parent" (original) plants are over 100 years old (belonged to the neighbour's Great Grandfather)





2012-05-15: One year on from installing Hosta garden, 7 additional Hostas have been added, 5 of the additions were given to me by a neighbour, the "Parent" (original) plants are over 100 years old (belonged to the neighbour's Great Grandfather)

I love Hostas. Just a little weeding from time to time and a little water in case it does not rain. Low maintenance greenery.

(05-15-2012, 11:08 AM)Johnny Wrote: I love Hostas.

+1
I have saved seed from last year's plants and they are micro-plants at the moment. Hoping for something new & exciting when they mature.
I think your hosta garden is superb. No slugs in your yard?

Nice looking Hostas, they always so wonderful in a garden.

Very nice, Mike. Is there anything in gardening you can't do?

(05-15-2012, 11:08 AM)Johnny Wrote: I love Hostas. Just a little weeding from time to time and a little water in case it does not rain. Low maintenance greenery.

Hi Johnny

Very nicely summed up, couldn't agree more

Take care, Mike

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(05-15-2012, 12:34 PM)Persius Wrote: I have saved seed from last year's plants and they are micro-plants at the moment. Hoping for something new & exciting when they mature.
I think your hosta garden is superb. No slugs in your yard?

Please post some photos

Thank you Fingers-crossed none, or very few so far...

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(05-15-2012, 12:41 PM)Howler Wrote: Nice looking Hostas, they always so wonderful in a garden.

Thank you I've definitely grown to appreciate them, had no idea there was so many different varieties when I started...

(05-15-2012, 02:42 PM)freddy Wrote: Very nice, Mike. Is there anything in gardening you can't do?

Thank you Plenty! believe me I'm very much in the learning stage... fingers-crossed I get to do the Master Gardener program sometime within the next few years (probably once the wife finishes her Masters)...

Here is the micro-hosta: the pot is 2.5 inches high
   
Another couple of my plants (in pots to try & defeat the slugs)
   
   
And one of my girls working (couldn't resist; sorry)
   

(05-15-2012, 11:37 PM)Persius Wrote: Here is the micro-hosta: the pot is 2.5 inches high

Very! cool, any idea how long before you could safely transfer outside into the soil?

(05-15-2012, 11:37 PM)Persius Wrote: Another couple of my plants (in pots to try & defeat the slugs)

Beautiful, just look at the different shape of the leaves and the colours

I do like the variegated ones, but that bluey green one is simply stunning...

(05-15-2012, 11:37 PM)Persius Wrote: And one of my girls working (couldn't resist; sorry)

She's a beaut all right, great photo

(05-16-2012, 07:30 AM)mikeperry Wrote: Very! cool, any idea how long before you could safely transfer outside into the soil?

I'm thinking that another 4-5 weeks should produce a plant that would survive outside. I think I may have to play it by ear. Sometimes seedlings are just too week to make it ...

(05-16-2012, 07:30 AM)mikeperry Wrote: Beautiful, just look at the different shape of the leaves and the colours
I do like the variegated ones, but that bluey green one is simply stunning...

I agree. I love both. Have you seen the variety called "Mouse ears"? The leaves are green, but tiny (relative to other hosts). Very sweet.

(05-16-2012, 11:44 AM)Persius Wrote: I'm thinking that another 4-5 weeks should produce a plant that would survive outside. I think I may have to play it by ear. Sometimes seedlings are just too week to make it ...

Please keep us updated on how it does, fingers-crossed it goes from strength to strength...

(05-16-2012, 11:44 AM)Persius Wrote: I agree. I love both. Have you seen the variety called "Mouse ears"? The leaves are green, but tiny (relative to other hosts). Very sweet.

I actually have 3 of them, in the below photo you can see a couple of them, front row, one on the left and the other on the right, the third one is in the back garden (just the other side of the white fence you can see in the background).

2012-03-25: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears





2012-04-01: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears





2012-04-24: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears





2011-06-16: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears in flower

If you are interested you can view a photo album of my Hosta garden here...

(05-16-2012, 01:27 PM)mikeperry Wrote: I actually have 3 of them, in the below photo you can see a couple of them, front row, one on the left and the other on the right, the third one is in the back garden (just the other side of the white fence you can see in the background).
2012-03-25: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears
2012-04-01: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears
2012-04-24: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears
2011-06-16: Hosta Blue Mouse Ears in flower

How did I miss them? Lovely!
Your album is fab - I LOVE June fever.

(05-16-2012, 11:18 PM)Persius Wrote: How did I miss them? Lovely!
Your album is fab - I LOVE June fever.

They are small, plus from the "original" photos I posted I would say it's near on impossible to identify them

Thank you, June Fever is also probably my favourite one, though I also like Orange Marmalade (plus the name always reminds me of my mum as she loves orange marmalade on toast). I'm starting to think once Paul's Glory is full established (reached full size, 1m wide x 0.6m high) it might become my new favourite...

The large variegated one in front of the air conditioning unit will always be special to me, as it was given to me (4 years go) by the school caretaker at the elementary school my step-son goes to. I made a passing comment to the school caretaker how nice the Hostas looked at the entrance of the school building, 5 minutes later I get a tap on the shoulder, turnaround to see the school caretaker standing there with a large bucket filled with one of the Hostas, so it's that Hosta from the elementary school that really started my love affair with Hostas

Wonderful, Mike! Thanks for sharing a visual retreat from our silly hobby - and work!

Today in the Hosta garden...

"Orange Marmalade" in flower





"Orange Marmalade" in flower





"Paul's Glory" in flower





"Paul's Glory" in flower

Mike, beautiful as always. In spring or summer, sitting in a garden like yours with a good book and a glass of iced tea is my idea of a little bit of heaven.

Keep them coming - it's lovely to see things develop.

Our seedlings are still very small; perhaps they'll come to nothing.

After seeing yours, I really fancy some "mouse's ears".

(05-25-2012, 11:35 AM)freddy Wrote: Mike, beautiful as always. In spring or summer, sitting in a garden like yours with a good book and a glass of iced tea is my idea of a little bit of heaven.

Hi Freddy

Ditto, though I prefer listening to a good podcast from the BBC

Take care, Mike

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(05-25-2012, 11:36 AM)Persius Wrote: Keep them coming - it's lovely to see things develop.

Our seedlings are still very small; perhaps they'll come to nothing.

After seeing yours, I really fancy some "mouse's ears".

Thank you

Fingers-crossed you will soon be sharing some photos of your new Hostas.

I don't think you would be disappointed with "Mouse Ears", small and compact, with good leaf shape and color, and tiny pretty flowers when it does flower.

(05-25-2012, 11:52 AM)mikeperry Wrote:

(05-25-2012, 11:35 AM)freddy Wrote: Mike, beautiful as always. In spring or summer, sitting in a garden like yours with a good book and a glass of iced tea is my idea of a little bit of heaven.

Hi Freddy

Ditto, though I prefer listening to a good podcast from the BBC

Take care, Mike

Oh, I forgot to add some classical music playing in the background. (Eat your heart out Downton Abbey. )

BBC podcast or a bit of Mozart. Perfect!

Hosta Large Variegated in flower





Hosta Extra Small Variegated in flower





Hosta Small Variegated in flower





Hosta Small Variegated in flower