Hallson Gardens

I grow under a red maple in my front yard, and another maple that I haven't identified in the back. Generally, I wouldn't recommend it, because maple trees have shallow root systems and can be pretty thuggish. BUT...under certain circumstances, and with a lot of determination, I've found it can work...

Gorgeous! I wasn't aware that a lot of sun could cause hostas to be more upright, but it does make sense. Mine are shaded for most of the day, with a little shot of afternoon sun to perk them up. All of yours actually look more upright than mine, from 'Regal Splendor' to 'Komodo Dragon' and even to ...

Karen, thank you- I know a lot of people regard creeping Jenny as a scourge because of the rampant spreading, but I have been able to keep that patch extending no more than a foot into the bed, if that. I like it too much as a fringe up front to get rid of it. It only takes me a few minutes each mo...

Noreaster, I love how you mingled the blue tones in the hostas with the gray shades in the fern, and then have the creeping jenny for contrast. That's a striking combination! I also like to group things together that have similarities. I have a line of hostas along my walk that all have wavy edges. ...

I'll bet the common thread here is that hostas can be shipped bare root. If it's bare root, then in some people's eyes it's a "bulb." (Even when it's not.)

boops wrote:Peanut is doing fine ...no goobers.

Reminds me of how I used to refer to my kids when they were getting over colds. ("No goobers!") Oddly enough, my daughter's nickname has always been Peanut, which is why I bought that hosta in the first place.

Stunning! Love to see all these photos.

Wow, your 'Komodo Dragon' is quite a bit more upright than mine. Did it get more upright as it matured? I got mine a couple years ago as a single-eye division from a mature plant. It's doing really well, but it keeps a lower profile than yours.

Every now and then you come across a group of hostas in your garden that looks especially nice together. Let's share some photos of our favorite groupings! Here's a favorite area of my garden, right by my front door. This is 'Regal Splendor' and 'Roy Klehm.' In its fourth season, 'Roy Klehm' finally...

I have three eyes on mine, but I started with two. And I think it's on its fourth season, if I recall correctly.

I think, if you have enough hostas, sports will eventually make you a little crazed. :lol: I had 'Peanut,' which was reverting to 'Goober.' Separated that and was able to completely separate the two and replant them. They were in the ground for a two seasons as two separate plants. This year...'Goob...

Looks beautiful! Just goes to show that every garden is a work in progress.

Pretty! Maybe the key to getting 'Blue Ivory' to really show off is to plant them in clusters. The ones shown in your picture are pretty much the size mine is, and I've had it for 4 years.

I'm sad to hear of everyone's losses, but comforted a bit to know that it's not just me. I tipped my pots over on their sides this winter and blanketed them with leaves. Turned them upright in late April (Chris commented in another thread that I probably turned them up too early). Everything I lost ...

This is still quite rare in gardens, although I see it's now in TC. The famous Seaver/Letohla clump was still blue at convention time a few years ago. I imagine it stays more blue than Elegans. Silly question, but how do you learn when a plant is in TC? Is there a source that provides a lot of this...

ViolaAnn wrote:A solid green sport? Why keep it and name it? Don't we have enough of them?

My thoughts, too. It's not that there aren't some very attractive solid green hostas, but....

My 'Blue Hawaii' is a beast. Growing really well for me. It's in an area that gets a lot of moisture from one of my downspouts, as well as from whatever the sump pump kicks out. I suppose that helps.

Have to agree with a some of these. My experience is fairly limited since my garden is so young. Fast Blue Hawaii Journey's End Komodo Dragon Queen of the Seas Regal Splendor (crazy fast for me!) Pokey Slow Blue Ivory Rhino Hide Roy Klehm is one that started off slow, but this year (4th) has really ...

That's a helpful list, Chris! I may just try 'Vulcan' and 'Rainforest Sunrise' again, but I'll order them from you. I still think I'd better leave 'Lakeside Paisley Print' alone--three deaths is a little much for me to take. :-? 'Orange Marmalade' was one that came up stunted its second year in my g...

Ugh! Thanks for reminding me, Noreaster. 'Rainforest Sunrise' and 'Tropical Storm' both disappeared from my garden for no reason I can explain. They left nothing in their wake--just never came back. They were planted next to 'Maui Buttercups,' which is growing just fine. I was going to try them agai...

Are there any hostas you just can't seem to grow, no matter how hard you try? I'm not talking about the slow growers or the ones that aren't as impressive as advertised; I'm talking about the ones that just don't thrive. At all. I have a couple of hostas that seem to hate me: - Vulcan (killed two pl...