For shaded and woodland areas, there is no better or more versatile plant than the hosta. Native  to prairies and woodlands  of China, Japan, and Korea, hostas have been grown in America for over 150 years. Until the early seventies, except for a few varieties, they were not a common garden plant. But, especially in the last ten years they have risen in popularity to become the top selling perennial in North America.  During this time, many varieties have come and gone. Currently, there are over 4,000 cultivars available in the trade. Many of these so closely resemble each other that they are not worth collecting.  However there are at least five hundred that are distinctly different and garden worthy and new ones are being introduced every year.  We try to add an interesting selection of new varieties to our list each year as well as maintaining the tried and true old favourites.  Some of our new ones will not be ready for spring shipping and so are not included in this first catalogue.  If you are a collector please ask to be put on our e-mail newsletter so that, as new varieties become available throughout the season, we can keep you informed.

Hostas will grow vigorously in humus rich soil with adequate moisture. They prefer a soil that is slightly acidic.

Hostas should be planted in shade or semi-shade. As a general rule the gold and yellow varieties will produce their best colour in slightly more sun. Blue varieties produce their most intense colour when grown in dappled shade.

The only insect pests attacking hostas are slugs and snails. Trapping these pests, hand picking them at night or using a slug repellant containing aluminum sulphate are all effective deterrents. Commercial slug and snail bait can be used, but only as a last resort, because these chemicals are highly toxic to pets, birds and other animal life. Recent articles in the Hosta Journal have suggested the use of liquid household ammonia. Dilute ammonia to a 10% mixture with water and spray on the slugs. One direct hit with this spray will kill the slug instantly. Where these pests are a real problem, select hostas listed as possessing good leaf substance because they are less susceptible to damage.

A NOTE ABOUT PLANT  PRICE AND SIZE

Hostas prices range from the cheap to the ridiculously expensive ( we don’t have any of those listed in the catalogue).  Our plants are field grown and then divided from existing stock or grown from tissue culture plugs.  We do not sell a hosta until, at a minimum it has grown in the greenhouse for a full season, wintered, and then been potted on for the next season.

 

A NOTE ABOUT HEIGHT AND DIAMETER

The information about the height and diameter (spread)  of the plant is taken from the registration information provided by the hybridizer of the plant.  It is provided to you only as a guide.  There are so many variables that affect the height and spread of the plant.  There are the obvious things like the soil conditions and amount of water provided as well as the amount of sun the plant is exposed to.   Another factor is where in  North America the hosta is growing.  Plants grown in our garden for example, will generally be a little taller than those grown in the warmer climates of Carolina or Georgia.  Many of the hybridizers are growing their plants in these warmer areas so their registration information will reflect that.  Use these guides to help you situate the plant in your garden but don’t be surprised if your clump is not exactly the same height or spread as the dimensions given.

Hostas come in an endless array of colours and sizes. To assist you in planning, the following table is helpful:

 

Miniature

20 cm or less: Use for rockeries and troughs.

Edger

Small and medium hostas. Use for edging. Best in groupings.

Ground cover

Quick growing, often stoloniferous. Use in mass planting in groups or drifts.

Background

Large plants. Heavy feeders. Wide spread. Leave lots of space around them. Often planted in groups of three.

Specimen

Many be any size. Special hosta because of leaf colour, shape, fragrance or flower. Plant where it can be viewed and appreciated. Often, oneplant is sufficient.

 

CULTIVARS FOR 2008:

A-E    F-K    L-R    S-Z

 

SPECIAL HOSTA COLLECTIONS

 

THE TOP FIVE                                                  cat # HC 01

One each of Sum and Substance, Great Expectations, ‘Sagae’, Gold Standard and ‘Frances Williams’.

            A catalogue value of          $57.00  for $48.00

 

TOP EIGHT COLLECTION                              cat # HC 02

Why not just start with the best? One each of the top five listed above plus ‘Krossa Regal’, montana ‘Aureomarginata’ and ‘Paul’s Glory’.  

            A catalogue value of          $97.00    for   $86.00

 

THE BLUES COLLECTION                             cat # H C 03

One each of ‘Halcyon’, ‘Blue Wedgwood’, Blue Monday ’ and ‘Hadspen Blue’ .

 

A catalogue value of $ 48.00 for $38.00

 

THE BIG ONES                                                  cat # HC 04

One each of ‘Sum it Up’, ‘Sum and Substance’  ,‘Blue Angel’  and ‘Blue Mammoth’. 

            A catalogue value of $52.00 for $ 44.00

 

HOSTA SAMPLER                                             cat # HC 05

Want to get a hosta collection started and don’t know what to order? Twelve different hostas in a range of sizes and colours.  Our choice but with a minimum value of $130.00

            A catalogue value of $130.00  for $ 100.00

 

 

 Interested in Hostas ?           
Why not join The American or Canadian Hosta Society?

For membership information contact:


  Lu Treadway                                Ontario Hosta Society

  Membership Secretary                 115 Huntington Lane

  The American Hosta Society         St. Catherines

  246 Etheridge Rd.                        Ontario

  Auburn, GA 30011              L2S 3R 7

 

  Canadian Fees are $39                Fee is $15.00 per year   

               per year

 

           

    CAN’T FIND THAT SPECIAL ONE IN THE CATALOGUE?

Since our growing area is limited we rotate items in and out of the catalogue. If you don’t see a favourite variety that was listed last year it is probably because we have withdrawn it for propagation. It will probably make a return visit next year. Other cultivars of hostas may be available in limited quantity. We grow well over three hundred different hostas and can’t stop collecting. Please ask if you are looking for that special one.

We maintain a large hosta display garden with mature plantings of hostas combined with other shade lovers. Please visit us if you are in the area. If you wish to visit other than during our normal business hours please call ahead to make arrangements. We will do our best to find a mutually convenient time. We would hate to have you make a long trip to find us closed.

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTIONS

 

The descriptions provided in this catalogue are based on the descriptions provided by the registrants of the hostas and our personal observations. The height and spread descriptions should be used as a guide only. The ultimate height and spread of a hosta is very much influenced by your growing conditions. Hostas are heavy feeders and require lots of moisture and organic material to perform to their potential. If you provide them with the kind of conditions they thrive in, here in the North,  they are often bigger than the registration sizes.  The colours are often a little different as well because of the light intensity differences between here and the Southern USA where many of the hybridizers are working.

OUR DISPLAY GARDENS

We have over 450 varieties of hostas displayed in mixed plantings throughout our property. Our goal is to have a mature clump of every hosta we sell on display to assist you when making decisions about what hostas you would like to add to your collection. Throughout this summer we will also be photographing our hostas so that you can enjoy the pictures on  our  web site as well. You are welcome to visit the display gardens at any time during our business hours.  Photographers are always welcome.  If you require special light conditions please contact us to make arrangements to visit outside of our business hours.

FERTILIZERS FOR HOSTAS

 

We are often asked how we get our hostas in the display gardens so big.  We grow our hostas organically using lots of compost in our beds.  We incorporate alfalfa pellets into every bed when we are building it and top dress once a year with pellets at the rate of a good handful per square foot of space. The pellets are a great source of nitrogen as well as trace minerals. Alfalfa also contains a potent plant growth hormone.  The pellets can be purchased at most feed stores in our area and are less than $10 for a 20 kilo bag.

 

Every spring we also topdress our beds with at least an inch of leaf mould or other good compost source.   We spread this just as the hosta shoots are starting to emerge and after we have cleared away all of the debris of last years leaves and other garden waste.

 

REFERENCE BOOKS TO CONSIDER:

Aden, Paul  The Hosta Book, Timber Press

Bond, Sandra Hostas,Ward Lock

Schmid, W.G. The Genus Hosta, Timber Press

Zilis, Mark The Hosta Handbook Q and Z Nursery

 

 

 

 

 

Hosta Popularity Poll

Every year the Ontario Society asks its members to pick their favourite hostas. From year to year many of the same plants turn up again and again. Any one of the hostas listed below will be a good choice whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener.

1.         ‘Sagae’

2.         ‘Sum and Substance’

3.         ‘Great Expectations’

4.         ‘Patriot’

5.         ‘ Pauls Glory’ 

6.         ‘Gold Standard’

7.         Montana ‘Aureomarginata’ 

8.         ‘Krossa Regal’

9.         ‘Fragrant Bouquet’

10.       ‘Frances Williams’

11.       ‘Halycon’

12.       ‘Love Pat’

13.       ‘Regal Splendor’

14.       sieboldiana ‘Elegans’

15.       ‘Sun Power’