It's called "passalong plants" or perhaps a "gimmie garden"...and that's the way I started....and I am still getting and giving plants.
Lots of years ago, about 22 or 23, a friend showed up with shovels full of hosta...univitta, white edged and white centered and one with a gold edge. I can't believe how far they have spread in those years...lots of plants of each in my gardens, to my children in both their present houses and in their old houses, neighbors and other friends....hosta! The gift that keeps on giving!
So when your gardens mature, keep your eye out for someone who needs a start of something for a shady spot.
Linda C

I'm glad if I've been of any help to you Dan. You seem to have taken a giant leap from beginer to expert. Your gardens are georgeous! My hosta adiction started with one plant from my sisters garden that I recognized as a hosta but it was several years before I knew what it was (a plain green fortunei I now call Judy). We all have our own styles don't we. From the broad open sweeps and drifts of plants to the small and intimate with personal objects included. It's such fun. I may start a thread on unique itmes in the garden. It's raining today and the only other thing I can think of doing is going out with an unbrella on a slug hunt. I may do that too. McT

I agree with you, Dan, that hosta people are the nicest people. In fact, most gardeners are great. We love to give help, especially when we can get a small glimpse into someone's garden, even ones across the country...or continent.

You've given inspiration to me, and to others as well, with your maple and conifer gardens. I often look back to your pictures when I need a shot of that inspiration! Mostly, I just peek before the garden envy starts to rear it's ugly head. LOL.

Dan--I am so thankful, you found this forum and have been so willing to share with us your 'progress reports'! You are truly a gifted gardener! I hate to
keep laying on the compliments to the point of overwhelming you, but you have to know--it is not everyone who does have the eye you have for what
will look so good together! You've got it!!!

And speaking of those who have inspired me--McT, is one of the first for me! McT--your photos and your knack for putting things together just so, is also
what keeps me going and keeps me thinking about what will look good with what! I have gathered rocks every place I go, and was so happy to find someone like
you who also uses them so well in your design!!

And, I have to agree--hosta folk are the best! I have made so many friends on this forum alone---and it was the love of a plant that brought us all together to get to visit
one another via the photos, (even though miles and miles apart) to laugh together, sometimes to squabble (as will happen at times), and even at times to pray for one
another when life's trials hit us hard, and always there is the common bond we have in *the garden*!

Keep the photos coming ya'll! I love 'em!!!

Hi Janice, don't get me wrong, I love the compliments! Around here, nobody really gardens, so you all are kind of my sounding board. I'm just really happy to have found this forum as well. I'm dying to share a few more hosta photos to be a bit more on topic. My 'Thunderbolt' is going to look like a million bucks this year, I just know it, but it's not quite ready for this year's picture debut : ).When I first started posting on GW about four years ago, there was a guy on the gallery on the conifer forum that used to post the most amazing photos. It inspired me to work on my garden and showed me what could be. That's how I feel about all the hosta photos I've seen posted. It gives me great ideas about the possibilities of gardening with hostas. Plus, there are not too many people with that ever-positive attitude, like yourself, that brings out the best in people and just makes you want to contribute. Thank you for that! That's the kind of generosity of spirit I was talking about. Every time I go hosta shopping I meet someone new who says, "Did you check this place out?" or "You gotta try this hosta." It's just fun, and that 's why I do this in the first place . Thanks for the positive feedback, the friendship, and being basicly, just a really nice person. I appreciate it. Dan

Linda C, thanks, that's a good reminder, to keep the gardening spirit going. I've tryed to do that, and have sent quite a few plants around the country. I'm hoping I can find a local gardener to share with though ,so I can enjoy their garden as well as mine.

McT, thanks for the compliments and it was fun hearing your intro to hosta story. Hope you post that "unique items" thread.

Anitamo, sounds like you "get it" too. Thanks for the nice comments! Dan