First Hosta Purchase of the Year

I had not intended to buy any hostas today because I was at the garden shop to buy geraniums.  We were on our way to the cash register when my eye caught what looked like hostas in the next greenhouse and the hunt for a new hosta was on.

I have over 300 different varieties of hostas in my garden so I am happy to find just one that I don't already own.  I walked along the first row saying "Got it. Got it. Got it. Got it." I'm thinking "bummer" as I started down the next row.  I am about 5 plants from the end of the last row when I scored gold and that gold would be in the form of Saint Elmo's Fire. 

Then I scored again with Fragrant Blue.  I already have 3 or 4 from the Fragrant line and they have everything that I like to see in a hosta.  The flowers are white and fragrant and they have thick leaves.  But this one is different in that it falls into the 'small' size category where as all my other Fragrant line hostas are tall and fall into the medium/large to large size category.  

Hostas come in all sizes.  From smallest to largest is miniature, dwarf, small, medium, large, extra large, and giant.  The smallest hosta that I have in my garden is Pandora's Box and the largest is the giant size Empress Wu.  

Buying hostas that stay small and short is what allows you to layer your hostas.  There is nothing more striking than to have a tall blue hosta with a small short yellow hosta just ever so slightly tucked underneath the taller blue hosta.  This combo will make the blue appear bluer and the yellow will pop even in deep shade. 

 I was so excited about finding these two that I forgot to put a 3rd hosta in my cart.  So tomorrow I will head back and buy 'Barbara Ann'. 

Just in case you haven't read any of my other posts on hostas and want to catch up, just type in HOSTA in the search bar at the top on the right side.

I snapped a couple of photos to show you which hosta to buy when you have the option to choose between two of the same hostas.

In the photo above of the hosta 'Barbara Ann', you can see that there is just one stem.  There is nothing wrong with buying a single stem plant BUT if you can find a multi stemmed plant like the one below,  you then can divide the plant before you put it in the ground.  I wrote adetailed post on how to divide hostas several years ago so if you need info on how to divide, you can find that by using the search bar on this blog.

Why divide before you plant?  I think the number 1 reason is that it is far easier to divide a small plant then it is to dig up a large, heavy plant and try to divide it without damaging the plant.  Hostas are hardy plants and can take a lot of abuse.  But my back can't handle the abuse of lifting a heavy plant out of the ground and then try and divide that plant into multiple plants.  

The number 2 reason to divide a plant before you put it in the ground is that it lowers your per plant cost.  If you buy a plant for $19.99 and you can divide it into 4 plants then the cost per plant went from $19.99 to 5 bucks per plant.

The hostas today cost $8.98 each and had I been able to find one with two stems, it would have lowered my per plant cost to $4.48 each.

My cousin Judy is responsible for my hosta addiction and until I saw all of her different hostas, I thought all hostas were green.  How little did I know back then that hostas could be green, blue, yellow, and white and any combination of those colors, even within one leaf.

If after reading my posts on hostas and you find yourself with a hosta addiction, don't blame me.  Blame my cousin Judy.

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Tomatoes, Copper Misters, & More Hosta Pics

We are up to our ears in tomatoes. AND for the very first time we have plums.

In the photo below we have Belgium Giant, Marglobe, Golden Jubilee, Amish Paste, Black Russian, and Early Girl. The plums are a Japanese variety called Satsuma.
I need everyone to keep their eyes open for these copper mister/sprinkler things. They are shaped like a mushroom and have a squirter on the top. I bought these two at Meijer two years ago. They had 4 but I talked myself out of the other two. I really need 4. If anyone sees them any where for any amount, let me know. I will forever be in your debt.
What would a garden report be without a post about hostas? I've been slowly working on my miniature hosta bed. I planted some Royal Standard hostas around a large tree next to the sidewalk. Rather than having all miniature hostas I added a clump of Irish moss and Scotch moss.I really hope we can finish the fountain next year. The blue tarp doesn't blend well with the rest of the garden or with anything else for that matter.

Garden Update

Let take a walk around and see what is new in the garden.

Only a few new flowers blooming in the garden currently. Of course the hostas are in bloom but I normally cut the flowers off the hostas unless it's a white fragrant bloom.

The next two photos from different angles of the same hosta bed out by the street. You can see in the second photo the awful looking chair link fence. My plan is to paint it satin black in the hopes that it fades into the background when you look at it. Right now it just sticks out like a sore thumb.
Here are two of my favorites hostas. June in the foreground and Krossa Regal in the background. Slightly to the left is the upright hosta called Praying Hands.Normally I do not mulch but I found that at this house is it necessary. This rose bed by the driveway is just one of those places. The lavender is finally starting to look filled in and spectacular. But of course there is always one or two plants that will not cooperate. I am waiting to remove one almost dead lavender and will buy two to replace it when plants go on sale this fall.
An unmarked sale rose that I recently purchased.A Portland rose that is very fragrant but on the small side. Also the blooms last maybe two days, max.
These three butterfly bushes are suppose to be Black Knight but I am skeptical. They tend to me more of a medium purple and no where near as dark as the photos of Black Knight that I have seen elsewhere.This I believe is a white version of Veronica or the common name Speedwell but don't quote me on that.

Gear Acres' Day Lilies

Despite the cool weather........let me rephrase that......despite the cold weather we have been experiencing in Michigan this July the day lilies are blooming.

I like day lilies. They are so reliable. I have never lost a transplanted day lily and day lilies are fairly bug resistant. About the only insects that have harmed any of my day lilies are the ants. The ants built an ant hill on top of the plant and this causes the leaves to die but I bet it will come back next year.

I've tried to keep my day lily buying limited to pinks, purples, reds, and whites. This spring I transplanted a day lily of unknown color from the Torrey Road house to the Grand Blanc house. The plant never bloomed because it was planted in heavy shade. This past week it bloomed. Once I saw the bloom it jogged my memory and I remember buying it. I have no idea the name but I purchased it because it was a very very dark purple....almost black.The next day lilies are called Little Grapette. They are short like me.These are kind of red and kind of burgundy. Pardon Me is the name.
I think the next day lily is called Prairie Blue Eyes.
I have no idea what the name is of this cream color day lily. More than likely it was labeled 'white' but I think it is more of a cream color than white.When it comes to day lilies I prefer mine to be tetraploids.

According to Daylilies.org

Tetraploid daylilies are heralded by some growers as having a number of advantages over diploids. In the tetraploid:

• Flowers tend to be larger.
• Colors of the flower tend to be more intense.
• Scapes tend to be sturdier and stronger.
• Substance of both flower and foliage tend to be heavier.
• Vegetative vigor in leaf, stem, and flower tend to be greater.
• Breeding possibilities tend to be greater because of an increased number of chromosomes

Diploid

Diploid daylilies continue to charm growers with their exquisite flower form, grace, and color.

• Good pink daylilies are still more prevalent in the diploid ranks.
• Spider and double daylilies are still more prevalent in the diploid ranks.
• Diploid daylilies are easier to cross than tetraploids.
• Many diploid daylilies have been converted to tetraploids, thus advancing the tetraploid lines.

• There are more diploids than tetraploids.

I like tetraploids because the petals are thicker.

The fact that I can just cut them down to the ground in the fall and that's it is another big advantage of day lilies. Another plus is that when they need dividing you can just cut them in half with a shovel, throw the divided plant into a hole and viola......new plant.

I promised you an updated photo of the Monarda (bee balm) plant. Guess what???? Last year I must of purchased multiple colors because I have flowers that are red, burgundy, pink, and light lavender.
Here are a couple of light pink lilies that sprouted up in the middle of my white lilies.My cone flowers are in full bloom.
And before you think that I have forsaken my hostas, here is a photo of Blue Mouse Ears in bloom. Isn't it just adorable. The entire clump is about the size of my hand.

More Hostas

I am pretty sure this is Sagae.
The big hosta is Singing in the Rain and the two smaller hostas are Rain Forest Surprise.
I love the shape of the leaves on this hosta called Dream Queen.
This hosta, Blue Angel, has huge leaves and it isn't even mature yet.
This hosta is Risky Business.......

Just take those old records off the shelf
Ill sit and listen to em by myself
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock n roll
Don't try to take me to a disco
You'll never even get me out on the
In ten minutes Ill be late for the door
I like that old time rockn roll

Still like that old time rockn roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock n roll
Wont go to hear them play a tango
Id rather hear some blues or funky old soul
There's only sure way to get me to go
Start playing old time rock n roll
Call me a relic, call me what you will
Say I'm old-fashioned, say Im over the hill
Today music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock n roll

Still like that old time rockn roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock n roll

Whenever I look at the hosta Risky Business I hear Detroit's Bob Seger singing that song.

OK...back to hostas.
Here is a view of the driveway hosta bed with the late blooming tulips in bloom.
Another view of the same bed.
Here is a view of some of my mini hostas.
And finally Praying Hands an erect form of hosta with slender leaves.

More Lovely Hostas

I was walking around looking at my hostas when I noticed several that had escaped me before. Most hostas when they are immature are just plain with maybe just a hint of what they will look like when mature.

Here are several that are now showing their mature selves...and boy are they something.

This is a streaked hosta called Guardian Angel. This hosta is called Tom Schmid. The green is a very matte bluish green with the outer edge of the leaves rimmed in a nearly pure white.Here's one for all you trekkies out there.....Capt. Kirk. I bet Capt. Kirk has bedded at least one alien of every color in this hosta. I know he 'enjoyed' the pleasure of a lovely green babe the exact shade of the lighter of the two shades of green in this leaf, in the current Star Trek film.
Here's a sport of Hanky Panky called Striptease. Notice the very faint white streak in the center portion of the leaves. Sandy....you need one of these to go with Hanky Panky.

Hostas are looking great

The hostas are finally sprouting. This is year three for most of the hostas and it looks like they are finally showing some resemblance to what they are suppose to look like.

So for your viewing pleasure.....Gear Acres Hostas

Red October...green leaves with red stems

June...one of my favs
My absolute fav....Hanky Panky....this photo does not do it justice
Unusual shaped leaves with ruffled edge...sometimes referred to as pie crust edge when it is more wavy like the next one
Grand Slam
I love how this one has dark green, lighter green, and yellow
Whirl Wind

First Frost....to 3 on my fav list. Hosta is very blue with yellow edge.
Orange Marmalade
Dragon Tails which is a miniature....notice the size comparison to the plant label in the top right corner. The whole clump is just slightly larger than the palm of my hand.