How do you define the size of a Hosta?

[ViolaAnn]

Hi,

Chris said (on the blue Mouse Ears thread)

Yes, this is not really considered a mini hosta any longer as most untouched plants are growing larger than a mini.

There are so many ways to size Hostas - width of clump, height of clump, size of leaf. I would like to know what standard Chris uses for sizing a Hosta and what others use. Finally, which means of sizing is most meaningful to you as a gardener?

For me, as someone who is running out of space in my city lot, the ultimate width of each clump is really important, but the more I collect, the more I realize that the height is also very important in determining where they are placed in the garden.

What are your thoughts?

Ann

[JoshS]

The official size categories of the AHS are based on leaf area and plant height. There is a chart at the bottom on this page:

http://www.hosta.org/About_Hosta/dictio ... _terms.htm

I think most gardeners are interested in the mature height and width of the plant. The ultimate clump size is dependent on so many different factors, though, there is often a big variation in these measurements...depending on who you ask.

It's a complicated thing without a real good answer.

[ViolaAnn]

Thanks for the link, Josh. I've been in discussions of this before, but not on this particular list. Thought it would be interesting to see what people here had to say. And I think you are right that there probably isn't a real good answer.

[Papou]

Hi Ann,
If you go to <a>My Website</a> , I have a page that talks about the <a>Size of Hostas</a>

It has been my experience that many hostas will grow bigger than what is normally written on the tag at purchase time.

Papou

[Papou]

Oups!!

..the code does not work here as it does on Garden Web.

Click on the WWW icon to go to my website.

Papou