Important Characteristics for Hostas?

[Izzy]

What Characteristics do you use when choosing a Hosta?
If it had to be narrowed down to three, what would be at the top of that list?

The first one I'd choose would be the Name
Then probably the overall size
And finally what the Mature plant looks like color ...

Is there a rhyme or reason to choosing a Hosta?
Or what would be the top traites when choosing a Hosta?
What should I be looking for?
For example, I bought Goober, and it's one of my favorites, cause it's Ugly! And I loved it . Everyone else looks at it, goes "Whats wrong with it?" I say nothing, that's Goober!

So you can see my issue, I baby my Hosta's and don't know anything about them or what is important when choosing them. I need to get just a little more selective and understand what I'm collecting and why!

Thank you
Izzy

[John]

If I don't have it, I want it! Actually, I look for hosta that are distinctive, and easily recognizable. Something unique. Beautiful coloring. I like those with plenty of white, blues, bright golds, those with red coloring...

And yes, sometimes even for the name, if it has some meaning to me.

[Pieter]

What Characteristics do you use when choosing a Hosta?
If it had to be narrowed down to three, what would be at the top of that list?

Pretty much at the top of my list is 'substance', now that I have more than just a dozen or so I have to come to appreciate how much better they survive the spring's slug onslaught with some substance to the leaves.

'Size' is another very important consideration, seeing I don't have the space to accommodate more than one the size of S&S.

Finally 'Texture' would come heavily into play and to me that spans the gamut from wavy edges to corrugated leaves to cupping.

[ViolaAnn]

I agree with Pieter. Substance is quickly becoming a real top priority with me. I don't want any more that look lovely until early July and then get so full of holes no matter what I do, that they are ugly.

And Size is really important as my gardens are getting full. Anything that ultimately gets wider than about 36" is not even considered no matter how beautiful it may be. I have enough that will get larger already that my garden is probably already in trouble. LOL

Ann

[Linda P]

The first thing I look for in a new hosta is that 'AHA!!!' factor. Something different than what I already have, something outstanding. Stitch in Time was one example of that, and something like Lynn's Quiet Waters is another.
Substance: You can't overestimate how important it is to have a hosta that holds up through some of the wild weather conditions we have here in the Midwest.
If the 'AHA!!!' hosta doesn't have substance, it has to do a lot of fast talking to persuade me.
Form: I don't want to see just another lump of hosta leaves. I want ruffles, ridges, waves, arching leaves, big round cupped leaves, stature, or maybe low-spreading and delicate-looking, but it has to have something different. Jade Cascade, Grand Canyon, High Noon are all solid hostas I have that are just impressive in their form.
Size: I really, really love the big ones, and I have lots of room for them, but you can't have a whole garden of monsters. I like the small ones to plant down front, or tuck into their own little space.
Color and variegation: You can't get away from that. I've never met a hosta color that I didn't like, but there are always some that reach out to me. I like the softer ones, not so much into a lot of white edges or centers unless there's something else going on there. The color or pattern of variegation is usually what makes us go over to look at a new hosta, which is why I put it last. It's really easy to go on that alone, and then end up with a hosta that doesn't last or perform in the garden. So, let your eye for the color lead you, but then step back and think about all the other things before you make your choice. There is SOOO much to choose from and more new ones every year, it's helpful to have something to base your selection on.
One thing to avoid: Drawstringing. The only hosta I ever tossed was Lunar Eclipse: What a mess!
I have others that drawstring, but if I had known about that factor when I got them, I'd have made other choices.
Hope this is helpful.
Linda P

[Izzy]

Thank you so much for your input, and thank you so much for explaining why you choose the way you do. I like food for thought, and most times I buy impulsively only because I'm not sure what I should be looking for. I want my gardens to be there, long after I've planted it.

Linda, I have a question for you; what is Drawstring? I'm not familiar with the term, could you explain?
Thank you again, I will keep a close eye on the post and towards the end do a paraphraise of everything. I'm sure that I'm not the only person with this type of Question that has become a newbie to the "Hosta World"

Izzy

[Chris_W]

Three criteria for picking new hostas... I feel like I could have copied off Linda

1) The WOW factor works for me too, but I think I have a more subtle taste than most. It doesn't really take that much to wow me. All it has to have is some slightly different character to it that I haven't seen before, be it flowers, stem color, a subtle new color shade, or even just a really intense shine, or some great form. I think I lumped a lot into this one, but some plants just jump out at me, even for little reasons...

2) Parentage: I always check parentage. If the new plant is from two parents that I hate it may go to the bottom of the list for more evaluation. If it is from one or two parents that I love that will give it a boost to the top of the list.

3) Tough love: It has to be able to grow under just about any condition for me to want it. Sometimes you don't know this until others have tried growing it, but I've seen too many plants look great in pictures, look great in pots, just to struggle in the ground. It should also hold up well through the season without a lot of babying. We tend thousands of plants, growing them for at least 2 years, so I don't have time for the troublemakers.

I wouldn't put the name in the top 3, but certainly the name can make or break it for me. A plant that meets the top 3 criteria but has a horrible name may never see a spot here, and I've seen some really horrible names before! Then again, a plant that might only meet a couple of the top criteria but has a fantastic name that also fits the plant may get higher on the list. An example for me that can go either way are the Lakeside hostas. Some of the lakeside names are great and we sell them because of the name, mainly because there are a ton of lakes around here and lots of homes and cottages on the lakes. So we sell a lot of Lakeside Cha Cha, Lakeside Shore Master, Lakeside Beach Captain (no matter how silly that one really is), or even Lakeside Elfin Fire since everyone has bon fires on the lakes... But last summer someone asked me what the heck was a Lakeside Butterball and I had to explain the whole thing about the Lakeside hostas and that the names had nothing to do with the side of a lake, those names are just an identifier for that hybridizer, like a trademark. They said they still couldn't get the thought of a butterball turkey sitting on the beach out of their head, though

Great thread Izzy. Lots to think about

[sugar]

1) The Looks : it has to be disctinctive from the plants I have allready and I need to like them. There's more to variegation and leaf color (eg 'Lakeside Pillow Talk' and 'Purple Haze' on order next year) that comes into play : I also take other factors into account like leaf shape ('Katana' on order for next year), texture (eg 'Jaws' on order next year) and corrugation (eg 'Faith' on order next year). I also buy plants because they will compliment well with plants I have allready (eg I ordered 'Sahara Nights' (small yellow leaves with rippled edge) to complement my 'Rythm & Blues' (Blue small leaves with rippled edge ) and 'Radiowaves' (green...))

2) Substance : if two plants have the same looks, I will go for the one with the best substance. I will base me on experience with other plants, or buy sports from a plant because it's really good (The Mouse Ears sports are on order for this year)

3) Size : I haven't a lot of space, so some plants will never come into my garden because I haven't got the place for them. I have made some exceptions but I tend to keep myself limited to small plants. A pitty because I love some of those very big plants, I simply haven't got the space for them...

[eastwood2007]

Three criteria for picking new hostas... I feel like I could have copied off Linda

That's just what I am going to do, Chris...copy off Linda! and you, too, Chris! Hope that's okay, Linda.

I agree with both of them completely. When I first discovered HostaLibrary website, I started making a list of all the hostas I liked and just started buying them when I came across them. What I didn't realize till I came to this forum, was that, just because they have a name, it doesn't mean they are worth having. It is very discouraging to pay a goodly price for a plant to have it not do anything good.

One thing that has been extremely helpful for me, Izzy, is Hank Zumach's 'pic of the day.' He shows pics of mature plants and tells how they have performed in his garden. From that and other info from folks on this forum, I have made a list of 'must haves' and a list of 'don't buys'. I know the forms of hostas I like and I don't want to accidentally buy one that doesn't grow, simply because I like the looks of it, so I always refer back to my lists before I shop.

Good thread! Hope this helps!

[Ginger]

I go for the "look" as in color and shape, then is it different than what I already have, then can it stand my hot summers? I have lots of room so size is not an issue for me, and I seldom care about the names, so I guess I look for
look
substance
uniqueness (sp? )

Whether it can handle the heat in OK is really an experiment and I am learning each year that hard way unfortunatley

Ginger

[Don Rawson]

Substance should be toward the top of everyone's list of criteria for choosing a hosta cultivar. This characteristic has a direct effect on slug resistance. If you disregard substance, then YOUR hosta garden likely becomes a slug heaven every summer unless you're implementing an aggressive plan of attack against these pesky critters.
Another negative characteristic of some hosta cultivars is sun dessication. This is definatelly a problem for hostas such as Francis Williams, Color Glory, etc. It's genetic. Substitute these cultivars for others that don't have that problem. For example, plant Olive Bailey Langdon instead of Francis Williams, and save yourself some heartache.
A third characteristic that should be considered is growth rate. I'll never say to avoid buying a slow grower simply on that basis, particularly if it's a beautiful plant. Some are well worth the wait. But it should be a factor. Another cultivar that's similar but has a faster growth rate may be available, so get that one.
A fourth factor is if the cultivar is difficult to grow. For example, Northern Lights is a beautiful hosta, but it's not in MY garden simply because I don't want the challenge of keeping it alive.
There are many more factors, but these are some which haven't been mentioned yet. Don

[Canadian-hosta-girl]

well for me it needs the wow factor when i see it ....

but that theory last spring didnt stick with me when i bought embroidry home , but the month after i visited a garden and saw it way more mature size and i said wow now that is special , so i guess hosta needs to be special looking....

i am not a big fan of small hostas , maybe thats where the wow factor comes in for me because of the size hosta i like....but i must say smaller ones are growing slowly on me

susbstance too is becoming important to me but then again the wow factor wins over that alot of times when shopping

and rusticity is also important , for some reason even if the lakeside hostas are beautiful hostas here for me at least in my gardens i have no luck with them , example : bought lakeside love affaire last spring , well the hosta completly disapeared during the summer gone....the only one doing well for me from lakeside is black satin ...lollypop grew 2 new leaves for me in its 3rd year so not alot happening there....

i am starting to look at growth rate too , it isnt much important as long as the hosta does actually grow each year , i have had hosta planted for 3 years and they look the same as when i bought them it is like their stoped in time.........kinda disapointing .....

Baawww who am i kinding , i am a hostaholic just bring them in

Chantal

[Kent]

I come from a different perspective. As a hybridizer I collect plants that have something to offer my breeding program.

Right now color intensity & saturation are traits I covet in new plants.

I also look for unusual edges

and good wax content.

Kent

[ViolaAnn]

Edited because I see Chris started another thread about "Drawstring". Doesn't seem possible to remove the picture though.

[Izzy]

Hello Don;
Could you possibly explain the "Sun Dessication" and possibly some pointers in keeping "Francis Williams" looking good. FW is on my list for this years purchases.
Thank you again for all your help.

Almost done paraphraising the posts.
So far the top reasons are;
Substance
Size / Growth Rate
Physical Characteristics
Am I missing something?

This has proven to be a most useful in determining what to consider when purchasing plants. However, this is also coming from a person who falls in love with "Ugly" plants!
Izzy

[hagranger]

First and foremost if it has a "dragon" in it I get it. ...
All other VIRUS-FREE hosta fall into the following:
1. Nice to look at and tough, resilient and with substance. Blue Arrow comes to mind as one that meets this criteria. I want hosta that can stand on their own without a lot of fussy-ness on my part.
2. Has to have a good growth habit -- tight round clumps or nice upright form -- pleasing to look at not all frowzy and irregular or loose. Blue Cadet is one of my favorites because it consistently gives me a hosta that looks good throughtout the season and its versatile ... I can use it as a specimen clump or as an edging hosta. Some hosta like 'Jade Cascade' or 'Nancy Gill' or 'Krossa Regal' or 'On Stage' (among others) are just great stand alone hosta.
3. Color is not of any concern unless it's for a special combination.
4. The name is the clincher ... if it has a good "name" I'll get it. However, sometimes I have a hosta despite its name.
One hosta that surprised me was 'Elvis Lives' -- I liked all the other aspects of the hosta but the name. If it hadn't come as a thankyou gift from Chris and Brian it would never have found a spot in my garden. I call it E-lives so I don't toss it out because of its name.
5. I have a tendency to wait a bit when a "new" hosta comes out. I have regretted my rash decision to purchase the whole Minuteman genetic defectives ... what a bunch of crappy hosta that have great names and then don't live up to them!
6. Uniqueness --- If it is unique and has the other attributes I've mentioned then I bring it home. Whirlwind Hart's Tongue, Praying Hands and the "pineapples" come to mind.
Helen

[Becky in TN]

One thing no one has mention is COST.
Even if a hosta has a great name, good substance, and wow factor.... I no longer buy a hosta if it is $40+. In the past I have bought several each yr. over that price range. I've bought 3 "galaxy" hoping for a good breeder. Each one died. I've also bought several new hostas with "wonderful HIPE" only to be disappointed by the product. Tattoo has fallen into that category. I've killed 3!
I've also purchased several OS stock from breeders and paid big bucks. I now wait 3 or 4 years for them to make it to market. The price is down to reasonable and their gardenworthness is better know by then. Several of my Lakeside OS fall into this category. Although I generally like Lakeside hostas I feel many of her new introductions are overpriced and not that distinctive in my humble opinion.

Becky in TN

Becky in TN

[Izzy]

Hi Becky

That's interesting!
You're right, Cost is something that hasn't been discussed at all.
In all honesty, that's something that I didn't at all consider.
But then again, neither did waiting to determine if the Hosta was going to hold in the market for a few years. I to have lost a few Tattoo's. I Kept replacing them, and hoping that they would be there in the spring! If it's not there this year, I'm not only considering cost, but also considering, all the other information in this post. So far it only fits the bottom of the top three regarding characteristics.
This post has given me a lot to think about, and consider when either purchasing or "Replacing" a Hosta.
Thank you All!
I'm still working on it.
Izzy

[Spider]

When I bought my first hostas there were 4-5 tables of hostas with 6 varieties on each table. I tend to judge (choose) on the overall apearence of things. My choice stood out from the crowd with it's verigation and colors when I stood back from it. The water beaded on the leaves and it looked like someone painted the colors on. The price was $25/plant and I bought 3 of the same one to stand out against a brown house with an overgrown rose bush and hedge. The hostas were June.

Now I'm making my want lists by overall look (wow factor), flowers, and recomendations from everyone here (what this group likes most must need closer looks, right?). Seems like I'm going more for ripples and color and uniqueness (judging from my purchase list). I haven't really considered at all about the climate hardiness for here, some take heat better than others, but I do have ice cubes. I have to do everything by photos, no one stocks hostas here.

[Izzy]

With careful consideration regarding the importance of characteristics when purchasing a Hosta, the top three things to consider would be the following;

Color- Color seemed to be at the top of everyone's list. This included things like, verigation, solids, margins, and how well it held throughout the season.

Size- Again, from different perspectives, the size was important for a number of different reasons. This included, whether it would fit in a specific garden, or if was too small. This also determined where it should be located in a garden. (Borders, groundcover, rock gardens, stand alones, etc...)

Type- The only heading I could come up with that could cover all other areas. This included a number of different factors from perspectives in the forum, and research. The "Wow" factor was at the top for this category. Along with in no paticular order; growth rate, how well it performs, parentage or origin, reliabilty of the plant performance, hardiness, substance, texture, Habit and known problems, shape, uniqueness, fertility, name and cost. And if whether or not it passes the 10 - 10 test.

I do believe I have a good basis now for purchaing Hosta's.
Thank you so much for the combined efforts in making my decisions a little easier. Breaking it down into 3 categories makes it a little easier for me to remember the key factors in Hosta hunting!
Hope this also helps some of our newbies, including myself!
Izzy