Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2006
PDF file available athttp://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

Fanciful Hostas
June 2006
Kendra Pilcher, Ridge Rd. Greenhouse Manager

    For gardeners who like a wide variety of a perennials, hostas
provide just that! With over 400 varieties available, you're sure to
find some that will tickle your fancy. Here are just a few of the hostas
that we carry at Johnson's.

    'Eskimo Pie'--round, corrugated, blue-green leaves highlighted by a
large, creamy, central pattern. As the season progresses, the central
pattern lightens to a parchment white. This is a very good grower making
a 3' wide by 24" tall clump topped in late spring with near-white
flowers atop 30" scapes.

    'Lunar Orbit'--bright yellow leaves with a dark green irregular
margin. Foliage mounds to 30" wide by 12-15" tall. Medium violet flowers
on 24" scapes in early June into August.

    'St. Paul'--extra-wide, blue-green borders enclose the bright golden
centers. The thick leaves make a durable 15" clump that is topped in
summer by stalks of light lavender flowers.

    'Spilt Milk'--blue-green leaves look like they have been drizzled
with milk. In late spring, the 15" tall by 4' wide clumps are topped
with attractive 20" scapes of pure white bell-shaped flowers.

    'Patriot'--this variegated hosta created quite a stir when it was
introduced a few years ago. Its foliage has a dark green center edged
with a wide, pure white margin. The 15" tall by 3' wide clumps are
topped with medium-lavender flowers in early summer.

    'Revolution'--thick, creamy-centered leaves are speckled green. Each
leaf is surrounded by a dramatic, wide, black-green border. The 18" tall
by 2' wide clump is topped in midsummer with 20" scapes of light
lavender flowers.

Growing Hostas
    Hostas grow best in an exposure with morning sun and afternoon
shade; in rich, slightly acidic, organic soil. Keep hostas well watered
and remember that it takes them 3-8 years to reach maximum size,
depending on the cultivar.

    Many gardeners plant a lot of different varieties to produce a
multitude of leaf patterns, textures and colors. At Johnson's, we have a
wide variety of hostas! Stop by soon to select one or two new ones for
your garden ... and have a great summer!