Hi Everyone,

It has been a while since my last update, but I did manage to pop in over at the 'Face It' thread yesterday. :P

I am sad to report I've been in Winterland Hell these past two weeks. :(

As most of you know I live in Philadelphia, which by no means is renowned for its voracious winters. Normally, we sit anywhere between 25-40 F from Dec to the end of Feb. Given those temps, when we do get any snow accumulation it is minimal and melts in a couple days.

WELL, NOT THIS YEAR !!! I know that others have been having abnormally low temps given their average, but seriously IT'S FRIGID !!! 5-10 F are not habitable conditions for a human, call me a wuss, but that is too cold for my taste.

But as we say around here . . . "Suck it up, Buttercup" . . . so I did.

I put on three more pairs of socks, a knit hat, second pair of gloves and long johns. Ok, so it's cold, but I'm bundled to the teeth and can still feel all my appendages . . . this is progress . . . I'm winning . . . HA, I BEAT THE COLD !!!

But THEN it started snowing, and not just the piddly amounts we are accustomed too, but INCHES at a time !!!

For d@mn near two weeks we had snow almost everyday ! Last I checked we were at well over 50 inches of total accumulation in 2014.That's not even a full two months, INSANE !!!

OH, and let me not forget the massive ice storm that raged for almost half a day and knocked down so many trees and branches that whole blocks (for miles) were without power for almost 4 days !!! Fortunately, we were spared and managed to only lose internet, but it was tough for a lot of people. God Bless 'em.

So I come to you now, withered, cold, and humbled by our cruel mistress, Mother Nature. In times of despair we look to things that comfort us . . . what better than Dessert !!!

Just so happens, I brought some along as a Thank You for listening to my whine fest. It's Raspberry Sundae, mmmmmm.

Sadly, it is not my recipe. Those rights belong to Terra Nova and the ingredients are a safely guarded secret.

Mine came to me new this year from Naylor. I first discovered it on the Hosta Library and knew immediately I had to have it (I was drawn to the name, originally).

The petioles are freckled red, as if dribbled with Raspberry Syrup, and your eye can't help but follow them up to that fluffy white middle. :)

I know I have a huge bias for White Middle Hostas, but this is one cultivar that everyone should seriously consider. It remains an upright small at maturity and I personally plan to use it in a mixed urn I have stashed in the garage. It would also be fantastic front and center in a mixed border.

As far as the myth that White Middles are hard to grow (yes, some really are) this one gave me little fuss all year. IN FACT, it came to me a bit rotted from being in Gary's freezer too long after emerging, but only thrived once potted up in some natural light. A tough little cookie . . . . . dja' see what I did there . . . dessert humor. :p

Pushing my typically long winded introduction aside, I give you Raspberry Sundae (as she was in 2013).

And Thanks again for listening. I know this winter (like those before it) will pass and I will get to indulge myself in foliage soon enough, but d@mn if my patience hasn't been tried and found guilty.

Here's to Spring !

Ludi

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We start off fresh from Naylor, the day she arrived. I peeled off the rotted leaves before potting and you can see how pale they are from the lack of light.

Rest assured, I called Gary immediately. He apologized profusely, offering to send me a replacement, but I saw nothing wrong with the crown so I told him I would pot it up and call him back if I had any problems.

Slowly she wakes up and the colors start to fill in.

Mmmmmm, fluffy white middle

Then BAM she takes off with a massive push of leaves. At this point, I have all but forgotten about the freezer burn. With growth like this . . . who cares !!! :)

Later in August . . . DELICIOUS !!!

You got a bit on your chin there . . . who has a napkin ?