What Hosta is this?

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » May 11, 2007 12:15 pm

I want to duplicate this picture from the front of the book, Ideas for Great Backyard Cottages
Can anyone tell me what it is? I was thinking that it looks like Hosta montana 'Aureomarginata'
Input appreciated! Thank you!

http://tinyurl.com/29qwxn

caliloo · Post by **caliloo** » May 11, 2007 12:32 pm

I think it is Frances WIlliams grown under absolutely OPTIMUM conditions. For a similar look with less chance of edge problems you might consider Olive Bailey Langdon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0376010 ... eader-link

Alexa

HostaDesigner · Post by **HostaDesigner** » May 11, 2007 1:31 pm

I tend to agree. Something THAT big has been around for a while. Frances Williams is a very old variety.

Tigger · Post by **Tigger** » May 11, 2007 4:08 pm

Yup. This is probably in England or at least New England, where Frances Williams performs better. You could also consider Northern Halo, which might grow faster than Olive Bailey Langdon if you're willing to sacrifice a little of the Frances Williams charm.

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » May 11, 2007 4:18 pm

It's definitely not montana Aureomarginata - it is more upright & the leaves are narrower & more elongateed & they wouldn't be touching the ground. I've never seen a Frances Williams that big before [or look that perfect] - not that it can't, but..... Olive Bailey Langdon, like Linda said, is similar & better without the margin burning problems. Samurai is another one that is pretty similar to Frances Williams.

But I think I've seen on here that Tyler's Treasure has a similar look without the burning problems. I don't have it, but I think it's fairly fast growing. My Olive Bailey Langdon is nice, but definitely NOT fast growing.

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » May 11, 2007 5:11 pm

Whatever you get, be prepared to wait a good many years for it to achieve that size.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » May 11, 2007 7:01 pm

Thank you all so much! I'm a bit disappointed about the size issue. I have two areas that I want to fill in at the front of my house, instead of putting in bushes. I may end up rethinking the whole idea now! Bah! LOL
I may have to post some pictures of the house and ask for opinions.
Btw, I used to post here a couple of years ago. I can't remember if it was under the name Hawthorne or not, but I am Midnight Reiter's daughter.

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » May 11, 2007 7:14 pm

A grouping of hostas would be good.

Welcome back!!

addieotto · Post by **addieotto** » May 11, 2007 8:20 pm

Renaldo has a great idea. You could group several of the same hosta together for greater impact or you could go for a different style plant, looking for a hosta that will achieve the size you want in a shorter period of time. You may create something very similar but with your own flair.

zackspapa · Post by **zackspapa** » May 11, 2007 10:47 pm

Tylers Treasure is a fast growing hosta here in zone7. It may grow fast enough and large enough for your plan.

Larry

kHT · Post by **kHT** » May 11, 2007 11:52 pm

viewtopic.php?t=43850

Hawthorne, I agree with Ren, group them together you can get the huge look. Some of ours are 6 years old and they are huge. We have 7 of one kind in a barrel at the front door and it's huge looking.

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » May 12, 2007 12:15 am

I just had another idea for the huge hosta & the coloring is the same: Satisfaction. There was an immense one on one garden tour last summer.

HostaDesigner · Post by **HostaDesigner** » May 12, 2007 7:20 am

renaldo75 wrote:I just had another idea for the huge hosta & the coloring is the same: Satisfaction. There was an immense one on one garden tour last summer.

How do you get that one? Every time I try, I can't get no Satisfaction.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » May 12, 2007 8:33 am

I think I'm out of my league! ha!
I do love the coloring of the one in the picture, so I'm aiming for that. I like "Satisfaction" very much.

The area I am filling in is to the left and right of our front steps. The bushes that you see on the right are no longer there. I wanted for the hosta to come up almost to the top of the steps. I may end up putting a mound in to achieve the height, and I had wondered if I would have to do that anyway, even with the size of hosta I was picturing!

We have a small yard, but I want the beds to be very dramatic. We are also filling in the front grass with ivy (oy, what a task!).

Thank you so much for the comments, this is really helping me to work out my plans. I'd been musing over this all winter!

maidofshade · Post by **maidofshade** » May 12, 2007 9:22 am

Hosta Designer

Hawthorne--you need to go on tour to check out what varieties grab your attention and go from there. You should be able to get something dramatic for your yard. Check out the Hosta Library and also the Pic of the day posts here.

toymr2mk2 · Post by **toymr2mk2** » May 12, 2007 10:31 am

Hey guys,
No better place to get Satisfaction than Hallsons. Have you asked Chris if he has it? Many times he may not have it listed in the catalog but may still have some in stock. If he doesn't have it than you could probably Google it and find some vendors that do and are also responsible on the HVX issue as well. Good Luck!
Art

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » May 12, 2007 11:46 am

Glad you like Satisfaction, Hawthorne.

I have the same problem, HostaDesigner.

ademink · Post by **ademink** » May 12, 2007 2:18 pm

A couple more enormous ones w/ green leaves and gold margins are Bottom Line and Lady Isobel Barnett. They don't have the same corrugation as FW but WOW do they get big and FAST!!!

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » May 12, 2007 2:41 pm

First consideration should be amount of sun/shade exposure. Hosta will scorch if full mid-day sun, not something you want to see at your front door all summer.

thy · Post by **thy** » May 12, 2007 6:28 pm

Welcome back

Earth Angel is an other fast growing green/blue with a gream margin.

have to tell you about the fastes growing hosta I have ever met. Lakeside Surf Rider.. got it last year as a nice sized but this year is is bigger than a lot of my old M/L ones.
The color Grey /green /blue, very unique, take the 3. pic on the HL www.hostalibrary.org and add a soft grey dust to it

For me the elegant dusty color would be perfect to the color of your house

Mine is in full nordic sun

Water, water and water if you want them to grow fast

Pia