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When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Posted by paul_in_mn 4a (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 0:06
| Looking thru my 08 purchases I see a number of hostas I had not planned on purchasing, not on my wish list and not even on my radar. Is it a collecting thing? What is it about a bargain price on a hosta or end of the year clearance that shuts off the brain and opens the wallet? You know that 40-50% off late summer sale impulse buy. Or maybe that $2 no tag hosta that looks like it was found in some forgotten corner of the nursery. I have a clump of 3 Sagae from 07 that were too cheap to pass up - I like Sagae, why not - lol. Maybe its that order for 4 or 5 turning into 6 because shipping is the same up to 6 hosta - c'mon you now you do it. A family member asks if I want some old hostas he's removing for some new plantings, he says doesn't know their names - some are green and some green and white. I say sure (yeah I knew what they were) I'll take them. I could go on..... Well this year will be different. I will not over indulge my habit. It's time to make a stand!
Ok, you're right I'm weak it'll never happen.
Confessions are good for the soul, what about you?
Confessions of a Hostaholic
Hi my name is Paul |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| For awhile,Paul,I used to buy every new hosta I didn't already have. I am now getting a little more picky,because there are soooo many out there that look the same! I enjoy rescueing ones that look like they have been neglected,like the little Undulata I found one day,while checking out from K-Mart. It has turned out to be a nice hosta,so far. Another time,I found one in a flea markey back before I knew much about hostas,and it turned out to be Kiwi Spearmint,an Undulata drivative,and is now one of my favorites. I enjoy the hunt,as much as going out looking for a specific hosta. Phil |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I understand all the addiction. There is near 350 cultivars here and somewhere around 1500 plants, too much to risk. My dollar and effort are worth more than adding some cheap plants that could/will potentially cause unneeded headache and stress. I also place an incredible amount of value on people and nurseries that are trying to do the right thing; in return I patronize their efforts. Furthermore I'm supporting job's & Americans right here at home, I'm not sure if there is a better feeling than that. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| if its free .... when they pry the shovel out of cold dead hands .... if i have to pay for it.. when i pry enough food out of my childrens mouths to free up enough moolah to pay for it ... but there is always trading... i have a few that allows for such.. lol ken ps: yes its a collecting thing .... unfortunately .. at this point of your addiction.. you/we are name collecting.. which as noted above ... can lead to a lot of plants that look alike ... so one trick.. is not to buy anything you havent see with your own two eyes ... IN PERSON ... on line pix are great ... but can be a bit deceiving .... |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| Ha Ha Ha. Tell me at the end of the summer that you didn't fall for the old gottcha trick. I go to the garden centers and there they are waiting to draw me in. The hostas, oh boy is there a new one waiting for me, gee that one I have at home looks good here. Combine that with Spring Fever and wanting to get your hands in the soil. They know you have been there before, they see your footprints around their roots and smell your scent in the air. They are saying here she/he comes and we are going home with them TODAY. Same as the rhodos, tree peonies, clematis, and stargazer lilies when they come in bloom, they just sit there in all their elegence, I turn away and they just draw me back. That is why I have at least 10 of the same rhodo, approx 40 clematis, tree peonies starting to add up, gets me every time. It's the bloom, if only they weren't in bloom, they wouldn't be so darned attractive. But the hostas, we cannot blame the bloom, it's the foliage, IT' THE FOLIAGE, now we realize that green is beautiful, add a bit of yellow, cream or white, throw in some blue, and you see combinations like you have never seen before. Who would have dreamed that there could be so many colors and combos we never thought of when we were in primary learning what our crayons held in them. The possibilities are endless, so hostas are a study in art, who would have thunk it. See how classy we are. You realize now we have to educate the younger ones so they can start early to appreciate all this art and beauty. Then just when you think you have it beat the end of the season comes and they have the nerve to lower the prices to the point where the poor things have to have a home, so what if I bought 13 clematis at one time, some repeats. I swear the checkout people say here she comes, we will clear out a lot of those plants now, then after checking everything out about 10 times saying I need that, should I, shouldn't I, I roll up to the checkout with a cart full. Do not ask about the cement benches, bird baths. large planters, etc. Just like a kid in a candy store. Help!!! The only thing we can do to stop this fever is to not go to the garden centers, box stores, no plant catalogs, no online shopping, no trading, no bumming from your friends, no taking just a little piece, NO HOSTA FORUM, what no hosta forum, no way. I guess there is no cure. SO we will be back checking in with all these enablers. Sorry Paul, no help here. Have fun this spring everyone and happy gardening. Betty (p.s--retirement may put a new curve on it, what do they say money and no time, now I have the time. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| As long as I know the origin I will continue to go overboard, gave up on a budget years ago. As of now, I lay the blame on photography. The breeding program will also further the need for more. It has helped not having space or beds prepared for the new trunkload. Yes, only a little bit. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| After seeing so many infected hosta at box stores I will NOT buy any there even if they give them to me. I very rarely buy any plants of any kind at the box stores so saying no to them there..no problem. But then come the catalogs, the hosta library, the websites, the hosta forum.. I'm sunk. I've now resorted to digging out varieties that I have multiples of and replacing with gotta haves. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| No? I'm not sure I understand the concept of the word 'No". LOL. The upside of being a newbie to this addiction is that having only 30 or so named hosta at this point leaves me wide open for many, oh so many, more. Or is that a down side.. :) Then there's the catalogs.... so far I've ordered about 8; only about 1/2 of those were on my wish list ... the others.. well, it was a moment of weakness and I just couldn't resist. As Ken said.. if it's free... I was looking at purchasing some fruit trees this weekend when I happened to overhear a husband say something to his wife about hosta. My ears went on alert and I asked the gentleman if he'd seen some at the nursery... did I miss them?. His wife said no and that they had purchased a home last spring and it is full of hosta that she wants gone....seeing my interest she asked if I cared to dig them all up. YES, YES, YES, I said. So in about 4-5 weeks, if the ground is thawed, I will be knee deep in happy. Addiction ... what addiction... I'm in total control. Alexis |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I was at that stage a few years ago. If it was a name I didnt have I wanted it!!!!! It was only after I started talking with Ken Ziarek from the S.E. Wisconsin Hosta Society that I started thinking about quality, not quantity. I had alot of plants that, albeit nice plants in their own right, were not as hearty or slug- resistant as others. Since then Ive given away or traded alot of my look alikes to make room for the ones I really want. Dave |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I'm pathetic, too! Even though I said "no more" to buying hostas or any perennials for the time being, I continue to buy and have to scramble to find areas to put them. I have a city lot and while there is still more room to plant, I have little shade plus no new areas dug. So, what did I do??? I am dating a landscaper! Hahaha. It's been a great two years! Anyway, he has a sod remover and he will start the new beds for me. I also need to put in some small trees to create shade--now, tell me I don't have a problem. As far as hostas, I got an email from Direct Source with their new plants and they were so pretty, I must order...since the shipping is fixed regardless of the number purchasing, I can't buy just the two I want--I want the biggest bang for my shipping buck. Like I said, pathetic! I can't wait for spring! It's been a LONG winter. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Say 'no' to a hosta? Do I have a pulse? lol
Pam |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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I would say no to some hostas. I have even turfed bad doers from the garden. (Snowcap, anyone?)
Why have look-alikes? Or slug bait? Time, attention and space are always limited. I can grow something beautiful instead of something that doesn't perform well.
And there are so many plants.
I have always avoided box stores on principle. That suits my inclination - I find the experience of being in them creepy.
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RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| "I find the experience of being in them creepy." I like that statement!!! My Yard is quite small as shown in the pics from the past, it is very difficult, but I allow myself 2 hosta per year, yes believe it or not (that I buy), free ones dont count, and the 60 seedlings in the basement dont count either!! Dont know what I will do with them , but I do know that the ones that I buy will make it into the ground!! Paul |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| My health had a way of doing that for me!!!! I had a bad spring last year where I could not physically keep up with my garden work. I couldn't ask my hubby for help 'cause he would want to get rid of everything and put it back to grass. LOL It is really the truth!!! He likes to look at the finished product but not help in any way. When he does help it isn't always done in a sweet way, wants me to know immediately where things go, etc.!!! So I pick the times he helps carefully. I'm sure lots of us have the same problem. I only got to feeling better late June and so managed to do just a little moving of hosta and I bought no new ones. I hope to catch up on my neglected work this spring and then just maybe look at more new hosta to add. After 47 years it's a little late to throw him back!!!!! Connie |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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- Posted by lindac Iowa Z 5/4 (My Page) on
Sun, Mar 22, 09 at 21:44
My downfall is that bench of hosta suffering from a summer in too much light and not enough water in a too small pot....
and it says..."sum and substance"....and looks like "minus everything"....but it's only $2...
And I reply with how many do you have....
Oy....ever the nuturing momma!
Linda C |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| This thread is interesting reading because I came back from HD and hostas were half price, were inexpensive before anyway, so what can it hurt to let some come with me? Result, most of the labeling there was wrong, the Forest Fire were Fragrant Bouquet when I compared at home, have now four, no neems. Then I saw those Allegan Fog derivatives, look interesting, lance leaves with white center, little misty. Also a dark green with wide white edge and a mini blue (might be TC Blue Cadet?) made it home.
And I still have space in the woody part of my backyard, will look good there in spring.
Bernd |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I'm full up as of now. I won't add another medium sized yellow hosta unless I have good reason to believe it is better than the several other medium sized yellow hostas I have. I added a few this year... a few that I thought would be special, like Atlantis (a tetraploid Abba Dabba Do, of which I am quite fond) and Spartacus (again, I'm fond of the parent, Sea Gulf Stream) but I got some others and wondered as I planted them why I bothered... So I'm going to be tough next year! My New Year's Resolution is to get rid of two varieties for each that I add. (editor's note: I've had the same resolution for the past several years...) |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| hostarhodo, this is what I do when I go to a nursery. I dont grab a cart, if I cant carry it (unless I'm buying a tree) to the checkout in my arms, I cant buy it! you cannot beleive how many plants you can carry in your arms!! (sir would you like a cart?) and then you spend so much less and pass up all of the plants that you already have. try buying a water lilly and walking a 1/4 mile to the checkout! it's just what I do so I wont buy out the whole store, and then go home and try to figure out where I will plant every thing. Paul PS Connie, I remember. (hope that all is well) If I lived closer I would have come over to help you, and make sure that no more grass seed was sown!! |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I'm sorry. I don't understand the question. I have no experience with that subject. Please excuse me now-I have about fifteen hostas to plant... Cynthia |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| Yeah I thought I didn't have any more room for any more Hostas after I planted them all last month but then I started digging up all my ditch lilies in my front yard, where my apple tree is, to move them and wouldn't you know it, I have SO much MORE room. So I can get in I think at least 5....no wait 6....or maybe 8 more.....I don't know maybe I'll add some more under my ninebark and the dogwood!!! I still also have my water fountain to put in (and when I say I, I really mean my husband!!:D ) and that will add height therefore I can buy a whole bunch more minis! Then there is still that whole bare pesky plain fence line..... ok I am thinking this is a real problem even when the plants are dieing you people get me to want more Hostas!!! I was doing great for a little while there. I haven't really had the time to read too much here until now! You guys/gals are so horrible, such enablers!!! ;P |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| Paul, I just happened to check in and started reading this post when I realized it was from March of this year!!! Well read the whole thing anyway 'cause I wanted to know how others handled their hosta addection. All the replanted grass is still there with the exception of making the existing flower and hosta beds bigger with edging them about a foot. I did mannage to connect two beds, in another part of the yard, together with Hubby's help after I showed him that nothing but moss was growing in the grass path. I, of course, got to made it bigger than he had planned by telling him it needed a more natural curve at each end. Much grumbling from him but one up for me! A girls got to do what a girls got to do!!!!! Connie |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| When my wife is watching! Denny |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Denny,
You crack me up! I have one right now just laying in the grass,cause I don't know where to plant it,and i am sick of planting,and it is cold,the way i feel at this vey moment,I would say NO to a hosta,Ask me again in the morning though.
cAROL |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| cAROL, It's morning now. Go put that baby where he belongs! I will be out all afternoon doing that, too. Sick of it and in need of new gardening gloves- yes. Aches and pains, stiffness requiring massive quantities of aspirin-absolutely. Looking forward to being able to post sping pics of a garden that is coming along nicely-priceless. Disclaimer-not quite fair of me since it is still nice during the day here in zone 7! Actually, maybe I'll run out for the gloves in order to put this off a little longer...teehee.
Cynthia |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Yes Cynthia,you are right,I will do just that soon as I get back from grocery shopping,which i hate.
This particular hosta is just all green,nothing special, but i can never just "get rid" of a hosta,i will post the name of him when i get back ok.
I need soil, getting hard to find this time of year.It has been so cold and rainy,but today it seems to be ok,ahhhh zone 7,zone envy here,it is a balmy 54,gurrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Love your way of putting this off,ha ha,maybe i am using grocery shopping as an excuse too.ha ha
cAROL |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| uhoh-just counted again-I have 24 to plant! Glad I have new gloves! I may be putting this off b/c I teach at a year-round school (we call it modified calendar) and we are coming up to our two-week break which starts a week from tomorrow, so I know I will have lots of time then to plant. Probably not good to be such a procrastinator. Love the buying, love the planning where to put them, love the finished look once they're in, hate the digging in between. I jump up and down on that darn shovel and it only goes in about one inch. Ugh. Time to take a couple of aspirin and head on out...unless I can come up with another excuse. Not sure I am willing to go so far as grocery shopping, though-lol, cAROL. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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cAROL,
I only planted 4 today.Sultana,Friends,My Claire,and Naked Lady.This leaves me around 20 to finish.I got 4 tons of mulch yesterday and started to put it in my new beds. Then I did about two hours of inventory and potting up. Those rotten little Yellowjackets are terrible this year! I found six underground nest today. Luckily, I saw them before I walked on any of them. Last year I stuck a shovel into one accidentally and got stung about a dozen times. They even chased me right into the house! What is up over on conversations? ZZZZZZZ...Maybe we are all scrambling to get it all done before Winter!We can chatter when the snow is falling. Denny |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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since I have the space, I take in all orphaned hostas and plant them in a separate garden or maybe pot them up for our church's fall bazaar. These orphans are also good to give away to newbies that don't care what cultivars they get---- those soon to be victims of hostaholicism.
Peggy |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Right now I say no more new ones!
I hope you are all OK after a lot of planting and upkeep this hosta season, this is especially for the older folks. It's time to stop!
This year until last week I replanted and removed some large hostas, then planted 55 new ones. And planting the last 6 in cooler temperature was too much, greed got me there, and now I have forced rest, the back got me, etc. So I can think about next spring when the new landscape will unfold.
Have a good one!
Bernd |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| I'm back, hosta still not planted,but not because i didn't want to, i have been really busy,,,,Oh,yes I have,,,,!!!! Denny,4 tons of mulch you say,I am soooooooo jealous,did you lay black paper down before you put down the mulch?How thick do you put it? I did the same thing a couple of years ago,I was pulling weeds,and when i reached down to pull a tall one,Yikes,a whole swarm of Y.Jackets chased me all the way into the house,i got stung about 6-7 times,being that my age is ahead of me,but not by much, I have always been under the assumption that I could not run any more,not like i used to any way,,,,WRONG!!!!I was running,waving my gloves in the air,it was not a good thing.Those little buggers are mean.
I am sure i was a laughing sight.
Still have to do inventory.
cAROL |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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cAROL,
I am lucky enough to have a friend that has a tree service and a wife that loves Hostas! I use newspaper and put the mulch on about two to four inches thick.I don't put them around the Hostas cause this gives those @#$%$# voles a little freeway to the crown. Inventory has been a killer this year! I have had to repot about 1000+ hostas that are in their third year and the peat has decomposed out of the mix causing them to sink about half way down into the pot. I just can't stand to see them like that ! I wouldn't feel right in the warm house knowing that they barely have enough soil to cover their poor freezing roots. I am weird like that, you know! LOL! Laughing with you on the Yellow Jackets! Had a buddy from work who was making fun of my fear and said he wasn't afraid of them and their stings didn't hardly bother him at all come out and spray the nest last night . They beat him to his car and it was 50 degrees and pitch black out. He was screamin and swelled up like a month old tick! There goes 2 of the myths that I have heard from him so far. Some times you just gotta call someones bluff! He looked just like the Michelin man today but still used the excuse that the moon must have been too bright because the other thousand times that he has done it went perfectly! Leave it to my yellowjackets to take down such a LEGEND! Man, I am a "chatterbag" today! Time to shut up. Talk to you later! Denny |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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Hello Paul! My name is Sidney. Clearly, I can see that you and most here do have a problem with addiction. I, however, do not. . I'm NOT a hostaholic. . I'm a er. . a. historian. . yes, a historian. . I love history and I collect the hostas because there is history behind everyone of them. I have twenty acres so I have quite a bit of room for . .er. .a. . .history. I LOVE history. I feel quite strongly about history, too. I could spend the whole day, season, and year thinking about history. History is nice, we like history. No, I definitely am not a hostaholic. I am far too well adjusted to be a hostaholic. Sure, 50% of the hosta I get every year is not planned on. I'm a compassionate historian. I don't like to see a bit of history with no place to live. Sure, I have over 1500 different varieties of hosta. Sure, I have duplicates of some of those, too. That goes with the territory when you're a compassionate historian. Why should I say no to a bit of history? A true historian records history as it comes. A true historian does not pick and choose what history to record.
No Paul, I'm fine. . no addiction here, but some of you should get your addiction checked out before it is too late. |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| Sidney For President!! Denny |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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I Second the nomination!
cAROL |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| from a newbie who has truely enjoyed this thread.... they have doctors and medication for you all.... ROTFL oh by the way, I already have my meds and I don't know the names to many of my hosta's but I am making my list for spring... |
RE: When would you say no to a new hosta?
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| Just wish I had that disease of too many hostas, or anything else that matters. I have spots or places to place and grow flowers but no money to buy them with. Can't seem to find anybody willing to give me a start of anything. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE YOO MANY, I'LL GLADLY TAKE THEM JUST TO GROW SOMETHING IN MY YARD |
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