Frances Williams

I'd say you are right. OBL just has a "classier" look to me, and the green part is a prettier green. FW looks a little "rougher". I don't see the desiccation on FW, yet (mine has it already). That would be my first clue it's FW.

bk

bk - my FW never has issues that I recall. But I agree with you - OBL is a little prettier and better behaved :)

For me, OBD is a nice surrogate for FW, which is prone to burning.

FW is the faster grower for me, OBD lags, just a bit, but has the looks of FW w/o the tendency to burn.

... at least here in this Iowa 5a micro-clime

dave

I agree, first one is OBL.

I grow both. I have 3 OBL. They have not shown the vibrant colors as posted above. Instead they have been a gray-green with a white margin. FW is more colorful here.

The OBL are starting to unfurl and I am hoping they will have the rich blue-green coloring as they mature.

I grow both as well. I agree with Dave. They are essentially the same in terms of color and form. The only two differences are that OBL does not desiccate in the way FW does, and OBL is much slower to increase for me than FW. I have both in part sun/shade.

Steve

Mine have been in the ground for about 7 or 8 years now and have been rather neglected since probably 2009. We did get significant rainfall last year and I have no doubt that greatly benefited all of my hostas. The appearance of these two for me has really changed so much since they were young plants.