I know this isn't one of the easiest hostas to get started, but once it gets going it sure is a stunning plant. I think if it wasn't so tough from a young tissue culture plant it would be a lot more popular.
The leaves on Hosta 'Ann Kulpa' start out with a cream center but that does turn to white by the end of the summer. This particular clump is growing in a very shady spot right on the north side of where a fairly steep hill starts, so it doesn't really get that much moisture I don't think but still holds up well all summer long. I would guess this one is about 7 years old - I shared a picture a long time ago when I divided this.
Does anyone else have pictures of this one to add?
Mine came as a division of Marvelous Marlys Anderson's plant, and it has grown steadily. It's in a lot of shade, and looks good all summer. I agree that it's one worth waiting for.
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
Algernon Charles Swinburne
I got this plant from Chris in 2008. It doesn't get much sun and doesn't get much water. And usually gets forgotten about because it's in an out-of-the-way location. Then at some point I'll notice the bright white centers and say "What is that?". Next, I remember it's Ann Kulpa.
Ann Kulpa - May 17, 2013
Ann Kulpa - July 4, 2013
Ann Kulpa - July 4, 2013
This is a close-up/crop of the previous picture:
Ann Kulpa - July 4, 2013
Ed McHugh, Sicklerville NJ Mockingbird feeding juvenile yellow raisons - never leave home without them.
My picture was a little too big for you to see all of the plant. It's gotten some good size to it in the last couple of years, and hasn't even been bothered much by two years of drought. It's actually one of the better growing white centered plants I have. I happen to have a good clone of Cascades that is far larger than it's supposed to be, and another white centered one that's done well is Moonstruck. Can't remember where I got Cascades, but Moonstruck came from Hallson's and has just chugged along every year.
And time remembered is grief forgotten,
And frosts are slain and flowers begotten.....
Algernon Charles Swinburne
I see the picture perfectly fine here, it isn't cut off at all. If you are using TinyPic then choose a different size rather than default - there are options in a dropdown menu.
This is a photo when ours was just two years old (we've had it since 2008). I never knew that it was slow to get started because ours seemed to just settle in and start growing. It's been consistent in size and appearance the last three years. Always striking and like everyone else noted, not too particular.
This is the hosta I bought this year on impulse at a building supply garden centre. Looks a lot different from a mature 'Ann Kulpa'. Do you think that's just because it's young? Given where I bought it, it's living in a pot for the time being.
Mine was still in a pot for 2015, but is now in a garden location as I've decided to removed some plants that I'm not thrilled with. This picture July 3.
The one I showed above was lost to voles. The second one from 2008 is still around. Doesn't get much sun or water and there is a lot of root competition in the area.
Ann Kulpa - September 15, 2015
Ed McHugh, Sicklerville NJ Mockingbird feeding juvenile yellow raisons - never leave home without them.
Mockingbird feeding juvenile yellow raisons - never leave home without them.
