Ah! beautiful, Ludi! So good to hear from you...I know I'm not the only one who was looking forward to your beautiful patio display, and there is so much more good than bad from where I'm looking!

The same freeze zapped mine, too. Even though most were just pips, there was plenty of damage...many are still trying to outgrow the crinkled leaves.

Now take another look at that beautiful group and let that garden make you happy! :)

Good to hear from you Ludi! And to see your lovely hosta.

Sorry to hear about your losses.Ludi,but you really outta put those babies in the earth,where freezes don't hurt as bad! That's a lot of nursery pots to deal with. I lost one of the only two plants in nursery pots I had,so I know what can happen. Otherwise,nice collection of plants! Phil

Such a treat to hear from you, Ludi. I know it must be heaven to spend time with your garden, hope the orchids made it through undeterred by the winter raging outside their warm humid abode.

I cannot but tell you this....you simply MUST get a Lionheart! It is such a surprise when it emerged looking like Andrew this spring. Nothing like last year, believe me. To make sure it was no fluke, I ordered a SECOND one, which should be arriving this week (as is half the hosta of the eastern half of the US, I think).....it stays nice and white, no brown on its leaves so far, all perfect.

Plus, look at White Elephant. I know how you love the ones with white, and that one, while not having super substance, is holding its own. I have it from Bob Solberg since 2011, and this year is its best so far.

About windchimes. I love them too, and have purchased from Grace Note Chimes. The website has sound recordings of each TUNED chime, the big boys having 4 tubes, and making like a cathedral. And the one I bought YEARS ago, a snow storm up north tore the cords loose, so I sent it in for refurbishing for a mere $39 and I noticed the price on a new one is twice as much as when I bought mine. So you get one from them, they last forever, they stand behind their products. Let's see if I can find the big one I have and put the sound recording here....will GWeb allow that? I don't know.

The big one is D Minor 7/11. The smaller one is F Major 6/9
The sound provided at the website is for the big boy. It makes me feel like "Ooommmmmmmmm" so very Zen.
Hung here for now, later in the garden.

Here is a link that might be useful: Extra-Large Earthsong Wind Chime GraceNote

Ludi, give them a couple of weeks. They will mostly cover the freezer burn. I, too had a hard freeze (16 degrees) after the fragrant pips emerged. I have a lot of damaged leaves, but, considering the freeze and the dry winter, things look pretty good. I had some set backs and some losses. The set backs are getting larger. I've already bought as many new ones as I lost, so I'm fairly even.

Nice to know you are well.

Keep taking group shots. Details don't show that way.

bk

Ludi, I think your hosta look wonderful and I totally agree with your sentiments about it being spring at last! I also spend way too much time at work, but school is out on June 25, so I will be around more then. I hope you get some sort of respite as well. You know what they say...all work and no garden play...those "sick days" are important for your mental health!

Mocc, that wind chime sounds lovely. I need to fix and rehang mine! Also, I need to get Lionheart, too. One of my pups is my "lion"-best dog ever and lion-hearted for sure.

Cynthia

I suppose I should put the link to the thread about Lionheart. You twisted my arm. I mean, Ludi doesn't have much time, and I don't want to tempt him to neglect his career too much. Link below has pictures. It is an enabling treat, be forewarned.

Here is a link that might be useful: Anyone growing Lionheart?

Jadie - Shame yours got burnt too, but you are right, I am looking at this from the positive not the negative. I may have sounded a bit over-dramatic in my post, but you know how I do :p

I kept thinking when I would see the temperature drop below 10 Fahrenheit if the plants would be Ok. Given the fact that I have over 130 potted up and only three rotted, I’m not complaining (well, maybe a little over Andrew). I will replace them in time, but should probably deal with all the others in pots before I add more, right ?

Oh, doesn't that sound practical of me …. Pfffftttt.

HostaHosta - Thank You ! I don’t stay in touch with you all near as much as I should, but I do try my best. :)

Phil - I am laughing because every time I post pics you always tell me to put them in the ground. I could not agree with you more, but at the moment I do not have the ground ready for them. I am working on it, piece by piece, and did manage to get some in ground last year. But those on the porch will have to endure what they can. Normally we do not have this severe of a winter, and my losses are nil, but there are outliers and this past year was definitely one of them. So given everything that could have gone wrong, I am pleased with the results.

But I do hear what you’re saying, and promise I will be getting them in the ground. I’ll be sure to keep you posted. :p

Bkay - I’m sorry to hear about your setbacks and losses, as well. :( I did manage to catch a post here and there were you lament and inquire. I wish I knew more to lend a hand, but there are other more seasoned veterans that are willing and able. Glad to hear you are already filling in the gaps with replacements.

I do hope your Elegans was not one that suffered, although being a more delicate lady, she may not take to Texas. You’ll have to keep me posted. Best of luck to you ! ♥

Cynthia - That gainful employment gets ya’ every time, eh ? Lord help me, I know I need to contribute my part to society, but my company has taken over two other major companies in the last three years and we are still trying to sort it all out. Plus, I received a promotion last year in May and have been super busy with all of that.

I’m in a better place now than a year ago as far as being able to manage the workload, but the days are long and I am tired when I come home.

Today’s ‘sick day’ was in fact … a mental health day. We all need them and I enjoyed writing my post and puttering outside with the camera. But Shhhhhh, it’s a secret ::cough, cough::

Thanks again all :)
Ludi

Miss Barbara,

My word Gurl, I needed a fresh page just for you . . . temptre . . . enabl . . . Dear Friend. ♥

All jokes aside, The orchids and I faired well over the winter, and I will let them know you are thinking of them.

You already know that your influence is scattered throughout my collection, and here you go again enabling me more !!!

However, I’m not sure if you remember, last year when you baited me with White Elephant. It was right before I left to visit Hallson’s. As a result of your post, I ended up picking out one right then and there !!!

It was haggard looking last year, what with a move across 5 states and then too much rain and shade.

Here he is, in 2013.

And again this year, looking much better. Pic taken today.

Ooooo all that white sends my heart a flutter. :P

But about this Lionheart business, I will reserve my comments to the actual post, so check back later. :)

And Bless your heart for sharing your wind chimes. I ended up spending a half hour perusing that website, listening to all the different models. Your Earth Song is gorgeous !!!

But I had to laugh when my ear settled on the $ 660.00, 8ft tall, Himalayan Echo . . . figures, I couldn’t swoon for one of the smaller more reasonably priced models.

I would die to have one that big, though. Hang it somewhere high in a tree in the back yard and just let it resonate. I’m sure you could almost feel the vibrations if the wind picked up enough and really got it going.

But I won’t be hearing it’s song for a long time at that price . . . good to set long term goals for yourself, right ?

I was inspired by your link and ended up finding out more information on the one I just bought. I updated the original post if you want to go back check it out.

This is actually my second one. The first, was a gift from my Mother almost 6 years ago after I graduated college. I had it hanging on my porch when I lived in Indiana, PA, but never made it out of the box once I moved to Philly.

That is all changing this year as I have plans (or rather a grown adult with a big drill) to attach a huge hook to the roof of the front porch overhang.

It is a 42 inch Arias. It does not have a theme or name like my Windsinger and definitely sounds more like cathedral bells. But still just as pleasing. Plus, I think of Mumma Bear when I hear it. ♥

Here is a link to a vendor that sells them, but it also includes an audio clip if you want to hear what it sounds like, as well.

Arias 42 Inch Wind Chime

Thank you for thinking of me, and I hope to be able to post again soon with more updates. Give hugs to the husband, birds, and little furry ones for me. ♥

Yours,
Ludi

Keep the faith young man!
A few good Hosta ...that look just right ...compensate for the setbacks.
That's what keeps us in the game.

Now you see why we all missed you, Ludi? You have such a kind heart and a great Irish sense of humor. Unbeatable, and so much like my DH.

I'm going from here to the Arias link. Thank you for returning the favor in kind.

Sorry that you suffered some setbacks with your hostas and had some losses.

Your picture of the hosta laid on their sides is a sight to see! They are so neatly placed and all in black. If hosta could talk, I just know that they would say "we are so loved!"

I hope your hostas recover and bring you a lot of joy this year.

Sorry to hear of your hosta troubles, it is very disheartening when things like that happen. Chin up, so many of your hostas still look 'marvellous'; I love White Elephant.

How'd I miss this thread? Hey, Ludi! Good to 'see' you; I'm glad you're doing well. Lotsa great-looking hosta there, sorry about the 'problem children', but hope they fill out nicely by summer! Your 'collection' continues to produce great eye-candy.

Cheers buddy,
Don B.

Good to hear from you Ludi. Your hostas look like mine here in Michigan. Thank goodness they'll all have a second flush of leaves.

I love your wind chimes. Chimes have been on my want list for sometime, but all of the places I've seen them on display also sell hostas, so you know where my money went!

That Hyuga Urajiro is sure calling my name. I might have to get one, it will make me feel so much better after all of the losses I had this year.

Gesila