Pic of the Day--Red Dragon

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Apr 17, 2007 10:52 am

Hi All--Today's variety, Red Dragon, is an introduction of one of the hosta world's premier hybridizers, Ron Livingston. In 2003 Ron generously sent me a plant to see how it would do in my garden. I am happy to say it has grown very well. It is planted in a spot that gets about 4-6 hours of mid-day and afternoon sun. The first pic was taken on June 3, 2003, right as the plant was about to be put in the ground. The second pic was taken on July 24, 2003. I was really impressed with how much growth had taken place in the first seven weeks after planting. At that time the plant was 15x9. A year later, the 3rd pic, it was way up to 30x16, and by 2005, the 4th pic, it was an impressive 39x19. That is a great growth rate for a plant with an expected mature size as a "medium" variety, perhaps the best I have had. The petioles are a nice red and, as shown in the last pic, the scapes are an eye-catching dark red.

Registry - not registered
MyHostas - http://myhostas.be/db/hostas/Red+Dragon
Hosta Library - http://www.hostalibrary.org/r/reddragon.html

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Apr 17, 2007 10:54 am

The 4th photo, taken in late August.

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Apr 17, 2007 11:53 am

That's quite a transformation in 3 years, but what good are red legs if you can't see them? I think this one belongs in a container or in a raised position to show off the petioles. Discussion welcome.

Note to self . . . move Red October

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Apr 17, 2007 12:01 pm

That's a beauty, Hank! I have never seen that one before....terrific pics, too, as usual!

jgh · Post by **jgh** » Apr 17, 2007 1:33 pm

Sure, Hank... trot out your Atom Smasher, your Red Dragon... find things I don't have and can't afford so I can't disagree with you!

Seriously, I know this is one of the first of Ron's to hit the market, and it is still pretty pricey. With Red October selling for $10-15, I just haven't been able to justify RD. I don't know if it was for sale in 2003 when Ron gave it to you, but you must have felt rich when you saw it listed in a catalog in 2004 for a whopping $175. The same catalog had it for $80 last year... and $35 this year.

(mantra... patience, Grasshopper... the price will come down...)

So this year I did get to order a few wholesale and will add it to my display and sell a few. Given its attractiveness and good name, I expect we will see the price coming down some more.

playinmud · Post by **playinmud** » Apr 17, 2007 1:51 pm

Nice one Hank! I didn't realize it was that visually dramatic a plant. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one of these.

JGH I think it would be worth spending the $35...especially if its as fast a grower as Hank's...my RO will be in its 3rd year and I'm willing to bet its still going to have only one pip when it emerges. It is one finicky plant. It gets tons of water, about 1 hour of sun from around 4 to 5 late in the day. Just MHO tho.

sugar · Post by **sugar** » Apr 17, 2007 3:56 pm

Got this plant this year. Payed 15 EUR (20 USD) for a plant the size of Hank's in the first picture.
Too early to say a lot on this plant, but the pictures show an excellent plant

LucyGoose · Post by **LucyGoose** » Apr 17, 2007 7:45 pm

Nice pic's Hank!! I don't have it but I do have Red October.....

Playinmud, I will have to go out and look at my RO....It is in full sun, (after losing 2 trees) and I thought it did good....I am going to have to go count eyes....

Sure, Hank... trot out your Atom Smasher, your Red Dragon... find things I don't have and can't afford so I can't disagree with you!
Jim, I love you.....You always make me laugh!