The winner, my favorite of all, Thunderbolt

Ed_B · Post by **Ed_B** » Jun 30, 2008 11:23 am

I am fairly new to the world of Hosta, but by far Thunderbolt is the nicest, best looking, stylish hosta I have ever seen in person.
Thunderbolt is the stand out plant in two different beds.
It's got the "kick it up a notch" factor going for it, and is the plant that grabs the eye for a better look.
I like Liberty a lot in the spring, but Thunderbolt never stops looking good all season while Liberty fades somewhat as the season passes on.

In time maybe something else may win me over, but for now
The winner Thunderbolt

Ed

Post by **Chris_W** » Jun 30, 2008 4:06 pm

And a fantastic Thunderbolt it is! Seems to be very happy where you have it. This can be a problematic hosta, growing in some gardens but not others, but when it does grow it is a beauty. Thanks for sharing

Libby · Post by **Libby** » Jun 30, 2008 7:22 pm

That is a gorgeous speciman you're growing! I'm sure I'll have to come back and look at this photo many times just for the pleasure of it

ccayton · Post by **ccayton** » Jun 30, 2008 7:28 pm

Yes--that one is looking incredible! I thought I was craving a nice Paul's Glory, but maybe Thunderbolt wins out. (Or let's be honest, maybe I'll get both

)
I've only seen photos of this type, and none have been this lovely. Have you done anything special with it?

caliloo · Post by **caliloo** » Jun 30, 2008 7:49 pm

THat is a beauty!

Mine is being odd this year - it is only two eyes, but they are like small tree trunks and the bigger leaves are easily a foot across (each leaf that is). I hope it starts increasing in number of eyes and not just size!

Alexa

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Jun 30, 2008 7:53 pm

Just gorgeous, Ed!!

Ed_B · Post by **Ed_B** » Jun 30, 2008 8:33 pm

Thank you all
I am glad that you like it, sure is a beauty

Maintenance
Every spring I walk around with a 5 gallon pail of Milorganite, every Hosta, Daylily, Clematis, Rose, etc gets the treatment.
I very liberal dose around the base of each plant hopefully before the spring rains come.
The rest is up to the plant itself, with the help of a wood mulch that I try to maintain, try being key word here.
Ed

ViolaAnn · Post by **ViolaAnn** » Jun 30, 2008 8:51 pm

Lovely example of Thunderbolt.

Chris, do you have any idea what conditions give some people difficulty growing it? I'm seriously thinking I may add it to the wish list although I think it gets a bit larger than ideal for my garden.

Ann

pauhaus · Post by **pauhaus** » Jun 30, 2008 8:54 pm

Great looking Thunderbolt, Ed. Good growing!

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jun 30, 2008 11:13 pm

Lovely picture! Thunderbolt is one of my top favorites. I love the rich blue large thick leaves with the creamy centers. Mine is 34" tall this year. It so full I couldn't even tell how many eyes there are. Every one needs one in there garden but due to there slow growth I wouldn't suggest starting with a TC.

Pieter · Post by **Pieter** » Jul 01, 2008 1:59 am

Nice looking specimen you got there, Ed. I have the look-a-likes: Dream Queen and Dreamweaver, though neither is anywhere near the size of your TB. Like Alexa, mine this year had massive shoots on them and while the fattest one of them only had the one shoot, it also has the largest leaves. All of them are in bloom now and it's a toss-up in my garden which gets the most 'wows', them or my June. The blue these show on their leaves, particularly when they get a bit of sun, is something to behold.

jobranch · Post by **jobranch** » Jul 01, 2008 7:56 am

Wish I could grow them 'cause yours looks great. Bought two last year because they have such an unusual verigation and the leaves are like rubber. Both died

baja220 · Post by **baja220** » Jul 01, 2008 10:04 am

It's stunning Ed!!! Mine was great last year, this year it's just a tiny thing.

Ed_B · Post by **Ed_B** » Jul 03, 2008 10:54 am

Picture of my other one in bloom

Arlene · Post by **Arlene** » Jul 03, 2008 2:04 pm

I'm curious, too, about the conditions Thunderbolt likes. Ed's fabulous plant is in Wisconsin; Carol's is in central Illinois. The two people who reported losses are in Oklahoma and Alabama . . .

This is probably not a big enough sample from which to make generalizations . . . so maybe more people could weigh in!

I'm still trying to shift my gears from Northern Indiana to central Tennessee, so all information is appreciated!!

Thunderbolt sure is a beauty.

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jul 03, 2008 10:54 pm

I'm actually in Northern IL about 20 mile south of WI.

It would be interesting to know if colder longer winters are better for Thunderbolt's, such as Great Explectations seem to grow better with a longer dormant. Both are sports of 'Elegans'.
http://www.hostalibrary.org/e/e.html

Ed_B · Post by **Ed_B** » Jul 03, 2008 11:59 pm

Not to throw a rock or anything, but my Great Expectations
took a major downturn for the worse this year.
In fact I would be really surprised if it comes back at all next year.
The limited experience I have with hosta's, seems that once they hit that downward spiral, it's all but over.
Don't know that for fact, just what I have seen so far here.
Ed

Becky in TN · Post by **Becky in TN** » Jul 05, 2008 8:03 am

Had three nice Thunderbolds last year. Each were at least 4 or 5 eyes. This spring only one came back. Don't know if it was because of our very dry year last year!
Also lost my only Dreamwaver overwinter. In all I lost about 40-50 hostas overwinter.
Am presently digging all my hostas in the lovely bed under the giant pin oak. They have been invaded by feeder roots from the oak. The oak must have been in search of water last summer and came to my hostas because they were watered last summer during our prolonged drought. Had our second driest June on record this summer but have had abour 1 1/2 inches of rain in July!
Will not be replacing any hostas this year as I just trying to rethink my addiction, this drought, and the harder it seems to just keep everything going as I age.
Becky in TN

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jul 05, 2008 1:48 pm

Becky that is so sad to lose so many at once! I know it hurts. So sorry to hear this. My friend whom lives in TN was so afraid last summer with the prolonged drought that her well my dry up because others in her area were. Her is deeper then most in the area by 100 feet thank goodness the builders went down deeper.