Phil, what is the age of the majority of your hosta? Are some 8yrs old now and older? And SDM? Gorgeous shape of leaf - slow grower? The variegation is outstanding!

Jo

I love seeing that one. Thanks for sharing.

bk

Very nice, Phil. That's a good-looking guy!

Love your SDM, Phil. It is a survivor.

I have a Sharp Dressed Man, which has grown slowly but nicely since 2012. It was in my first order to Naylor Creek. At the same time, I ordered Diana Remembered.

Strangest thing about those two hosta, I move pots around a lot, but those two always wind up next to one another. I like to see a Sharp Dressed Man take the arm of Diana Remembered. She needs a first rate escort.

I repotted both of them the other day, and before the day was over, there they were, back together, side by side, with Doubled Up standing tall and green behind them, Lionheart on Diana's other side, standing around the socializing center of the hosta garden while I watched the solar lights begin to twinkle until they came on. The first of many pleasant twilights anticipated this growing season.

2013

Wish I had more 2012 pictures.

Who says you can't create beautiful hybrids with 'Francee' as a parent??

Not Bob Solberg. Not him.

One of my favorites Phil, I still haven't found one to buy!

Jo,SDM has been in that spot since 2009. Slow-growing,to be sure,but always a good performer. I got this plant from Bob Solberg himself,and in person. He used to come over to a nursery near here every year. I also got Ginsu Knife,and Orange Marmalade from him. Jo,the plants in this part of the garden started in 2006,and nothing here is older than that.I started this part in 2006. The rest of the garden is older. It was 2003,when I first ventured into the woods to start planting hostas. Before that,even though I had been in the woods,it was just a jungle of nasty vines,and wild Vinca. When I got SDM,I always envisioned planting him right there,at the base of two large Oak trees,which had been there for decades. Phil

Gesila, According to the Hosta finder, Venero is the only one in Minnesota that carries it. Wade, Made in the Shade, Mason Hollow and Plants Delights also carry it.

bk

Phil does your Sharp Dressed Man come up with the majority of your hostas or is it a bit late? I also got mine from Solberg when he was at a tri-state hosta meeting. My SDM is always the last one up for me, I think it didn't come up until June last year! Anyway just curious, it is a pretty hosta.

Shade,it came up late as always,as it is a Francee seedling,and my Francees always come up late also. They never are subject to a freeze,for that reason. But,not as late as June! All my Francee hostas are perfect this year,because of that fact. Phil

Phil, it's really nice getting to know more about your garden. Thank you for the history behind it. You have created such beauty where vines and wild growth once stood. Truly a labour of love - i can imagine the amount of back-breaking work that went into it as I do all of my own grunt work,so to speak :-)

I am growing rather fond of my Francee. This will be year two for a small division my neighbour gave me in exchange for one of my plants. Still awaiting her emergence. :-) I also have a new Ginsu Knife and a division of my daughter's OM. It's easy to see why Mr. Solberg's hostas are so popular - they are outstanding in any category.

I like Francee quite a bit as well. I suppose a lot of folks consider it too plain or drab, but I think it's particular shade of green one of the nicest among hostas. I find it's form very pleasing to the eye. And talk about stout and reliable! I put it on a par with Halcyon. Just my personal opinion.

Don B.

I'm with you on Francee. Mine was a "bonus" plant. I don't think I would have bought it otherwise. It's just an outstanding plant. It looks good all season, too.

bk