How to let them get the blues
Moderators: ViolaAnn, redcrx, Chris_W
How to let them get the blues
I have Moonligh Sonate and Deanes Dream in a lot of sun, DD get more or less all day sun- up north
But I don't think they are as blue as can be, so what to do ?
Last time I had that problem was with Regal Splendor growing in a very shaded area, after I moved it to a very sunny area it got the blue color..
Do some blue hostas need sun for developing the blue coat and other shade
Reason I want to find a medium/ large hosta to put in the shade. A new one will be too darn slow in that area, so I want to transplant one allready in the garden
Pia
But I don't think they are as blue as can be, so what to do ?
Last time I had that problem was with Regal Splendor growing in a very shaded area, after I moved it to a very sunny area it got the blue color..
Do some blue hostas need sun for developing the blue coat and other shade
Reason I want to find a medium/ large hosta to put in the shade. A new one will be too darn slow in that area, so I want to transplant one allready in the garden
Pia
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
Hej Barb
Think they are 3 or 4 years old, both are in huge containers... nice ceramic pots... I saw your pic - I think - on HL... how much sun does it get
Think they are 3 or 4 years old, both are in huge containers... nice ceramic pots... I saw your pic - I think - on HL... how much sun does it get
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
Sorry.. ought to have been of an other blue I have looked at during the evening.. none of yours on those ones.. but one of Kents
Pia
I knowthey are not the most blue hostas but it seems like some folks can get more wax on them than I have got so far...
And I want them as blue as possible.. even if I have to go with a green one for that spot... then I just need to hire someone to move the pots
Barb.what is your latitude ? and are you close to see level or in a mountain area ?
Pia
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
Pia: If growth is really slow in the shade area, I would pot up 3-4 hosta, put one in the shady spot, then every couple weeks switch it with one of the other potted hosta. That way you can have a hosta there without retarding the growth of any of them. They do this with potted plants in large office buildings over here - the plant service will bring in new plants every week or two and take the ones that were there back to their greenhouses to recover from the less than optimal conditions. No reason this can’t work outdoors, too!
I have lots of shade, and all my blue hosta are much more blue than others I have seen elsewhere. I couldn’t even ID my Krossa Regal hosta until I had them for a couple years and finally saw one in similar shade conditions - mine are such a light frosty aqua color while all the others I had seen elsewhere were a definite medium teal color. The only time I lose the blue is if temps are really hot for an extended period or we get a hard driving rain for a long time.
wanda
I have lots of shade, and all my blue hosta are much more blue than others I have seen elsewhere. I couldn’t even ID my Krossa Regal hosta until I had them for a couple years and finally saw one in similar shade conditions - mine are such a light frosty aqua color while all the others I had seen elsewhere were a definite medium teal color. The only time I lose the blue is if temps are really hot for an extended period or we get a hard driving rain for a long time.
wanda
That's interesting.. more blue in shade.. think I start to get cnfused
The rotation with potted ones could be an idea
The shade is from a solid fence so it is only getting a couple of hours early morning sun in summer time, but it is bright, no trees or other things
One of the things confusing me is. This years window box hosta have been Blue Ice, it survived the first winther perfect and have 2 eyes now... my kichen window only et a few hours of sun and it is the most perfect powdery blue..
Do blue hostas reacht different or....
Please add to the confusion
The rotation with potted ones could be an idea
The shade is from a solid fence so it is only getting a couple of hours early morning sun in summer time, but it is bright, no trees or other things
One of the things confusing me is. This years window box hosta have been Blue Ice, it survived the first winther perfect and have 2 eyes now... my kichen window only et a few hours of sun and it is the most perfect powdery blue..
Do blue hostas reacht different or....
Please add to the confusion
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
- newtohosta-no more
- Posts: 15270
- Joined: Oct 25, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Ohio, Zone 5
Maybe its different up North I do know when I grew a bunch in full shade, they lacked color. As I lost trees, and they were in full sun, or at best high shade, but still in full sun high noon, I compensated by watering more, and the hostas responded with better color, inc. the blues. I still have some in shadier areas, but nowhere near as blue as those in sun. I think it was in 2001 there was a good article or 2 in the Hosta Journal about this.
Pia: It is confusing...I first learned about the “blue” of hosta when I wanted to buy one of the stately waxy-looking, smoky-golden hosta with deeply cupped leaves a grower had planted in a field in full sun. I didn’t believe him when he told me it was Love Pat!!! I didn’t know much about hosta then but I KNEW Love Pat was supposed to be blue (hehe).
I think it really depends on individual conditions...there are so many variables!
wanda
I think it really depends on individual conditions...there are so many variables!
wanda
55°24'30.94"N here, so my sun is even weaker (sp), but my summer days are longer ...LOL
Most blue I have in full sun is Camelot, in half sun it is Hadspen Blue and in full shade Halcyon... Blue Mouse Ears are more blue in full sun than in shde and half shade
Halcyon is more green than blue in full sun
An 2001 article... at that time I had just figured out I didn't have them all
So please refere ... if you have the time
Help me/us out ...
Most blue I have in full sun is Camelot, in half sun it is Hadspen Blue and in full shade Halcyon... Blue Mouse Ears are more blue in full sun than in shde and half shade
Halcyon is more green than blue in full sun
An 2001 article... at that time I had just figured out I didn't have them all
So please refere ... if you have the time
Help me/us out ...
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
Thinking, thinking, thinking....
Something is strange
My Camelot is as blue as possible.. at least I think so My Elvis Lives are a bit more blue on the half that get full sun, than on the half somewhat shadet by a tree trunk but my June is ( as everybodys) way more green in full sun and deep dusty blue in nearly full shade
Some one please explain
I just want my Deane's Dream to look like Kents pic on the HL
Something is strange
My Camelot is as blue as possible.. at least I think so My Elvis Lives are a bit more blue on the half that get full sun, than on the half somewhat shadet by a tree trunk but my June is ( as everybodys) way more green in full sun and deep dusty blue in nearly full shade
Some one please explain
I just want my Deane's Dream to look like Kents pic on the HL
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain.
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
E-mail for pics hostapics@gmail.com
-
- Posts: 3262
- Joined: Oct 11, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Stoddard, WI
HI--It is my understanding that the blue coloring is caused in significant part by a waxy coating on the leaves. The more sun and heat the plant is exposed to, the more the wax will be removed from the leaves. So, some plants that are blue in the early part of the season may turn more green as the season progresses. Another way the waxy substance can show off is if you rub your fingers over a leaf when it is hot out. You will be able to see the marks your fingers made.
Hank
Better Gnomes & Gardens
zone 4B-5A
Latitude: 43° 48' 51" N
Better Gnomes & Gardens
zone 4B-5A
Latitude: 43° 48' 51" N
I have also heard that more light will produce more wax. More heat will melt it away. So I think the trick is to grow them in really bright shade where it doesn't get too hot. Morning sun also fits the bill.
Dave
Dave's Hosta List
Dave's Hosta List
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- Posts: 3517
- Joined: Jan 25, 2007 12:51 pm
- Location: kansas, usa zone 5b
I have two 'Love Pat' that I bought from the same batch at the same time. One is planted in an area that gets very little direct sunlight, but has high bright shade. The other one is planted where it gets quite a bit of afternoon sun. The difference in the way they grow is a good experiment. The one in the sun was very green and got a little scorched. The one in the shade was so dark blue it nearly looked black. I wish I had taken a pic. I am anxious to see what it does this year. I am going to move the one in the spot that is too sunny, maybe, as it got damaged by freeze.
Charla
Latitude 38.57N; Longitude -94.89W (Elev. 886 ft.)
Latitude 38.57N; Longitude -94.89W (Elev. 886 ft.)