Pic of the Day--Silver Threads and Golden Needles

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Jan 05, 2008 2:39 pm

Hi All--Today's plant just might have the longest name in hostadom. If you know of a longer name, pass it along to the group. Silver Threads and Golden Needles was a new addition this past summer. For a variety that is listed as "small" there is a lot going on with STGN besides the letters in its name. It has the most tissue variety of any hosta in our modest collection, with heavy spotting throughout the irregularly variegated center portions of the leaves. The plant had some damage in shipping so next season I don't expect to have the unsightly leaves you see in the photo. The plant measured 10x3.

Hosta Registry - not registered
MyHostas Database - http://www.myhostas.be/db/view/Silver+T ... en+Needles
Hosta Library - http://www.hostalibrary.org/s/silvergold.html

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Jan 05, 2008 3:29 pm

Even with the damage it looks like a cutie.

loisf · Post by **loisf** » Jan 05, 2008 5:42 pm

I thought I was finished buying hosta late last summer when I walked by a STGN. I couldn't resist it, and you're right, Hank. I could hardly get the name on the tag. Joan, I think it's adorable, too. Lois

jobranch · Post by **jobranch** » Jan 05, 2008 7:59 pm

Very interesting hosta.

jgh · Post by **jgh** » Jan 05, 2008 8:04 pm

Some people just don't know how to package hosta...

moongirl · Post by **moongirl** » Jan 05, 2008 8:26 pm

that hosta is on my 'long list' rather than short list because I never have heard much feedback on it. I really like the looks of it and would love to add it to my garden.
So who else is growing it and what is your opinion?
Kat

jgh · Post by **jgh** » Jan 05, 2008 8:42 pm

I added this last year, mostly because I thought it was a necessary addition to my spring sale with my theme of "hosta music in the garden."

I was initially negative about the name, though I liked the song. Ended up really liking it. I even gave away a few to some special hosta friends.

You can tell a person's age by which version of this song they know and love.

The first version was by Wanda Jackson, issued on a single in 1956 as the 'B' side to the unforgettable "Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad"

A young singing couple, the Springfields, learned if from the record and their version was a reasonable hit, I think about 1962. If the name The Springfields doesn't ring an immediate bell, think the lead singer DUSTY Springfield.

For those of you in tie-dyed t-shirts... the Grateful Dead did a version in concert for many years.

If you are a little younger still, you probably heard Linda Ronstadt's version from her 1973 album, Don't Cry Now... it got lots of radio play.

Of course, if you were a more eclectic music listener, you might know the 1960's versions by Brenda Lee, The Everly Brothers, and especially Skeeter Davis.

Of course, every body from Johnny Rivers to Pat Boone to Loretta Lynn also did the song. I found over 170 seperate recordings and re-releases. I really can't quite figure the sense of a man singing this song, since it was written pre-modern feminism. Still, men seemed to need to sing it. The newest recording I could find was Paul Main, a current country swing musician who recorded his version in 2004.

Here are the original lyrics, in case your memory has slipped. I guess I have an excuse... I remember the 1962 version, listening to it on WDGY as that version made the crossover from the country charts to the pop rock-and-roll channels.
----------------
I don't want your lonely mansion, with a chill in every room
I just want the love you promised beneath the haloed moon
But you think I should be happy with your money and your name
And pretend that I don't notice while you play your cheating game

Chorus
Silver threads and golden needles can't patch up this heart of mine
And I'll never drown my sorrows in the warm glow of your wine
You can't buy my love with money, for I never was that kind
Silver threads and golden needles can't patch up this heart of mine

I grew up in faded gingham where love is a sacred thing
You grew up in silk and satin where love's the passing game
I know now you never loved me, and I know I was a fool
To think your pride would let you live by the golden rule

[chorus]

thy · Post by **thy** » Jan 05, 2008 8:57 pm

Sorry Jim

All your great work and I have to ask for a MP3 specially the the Evelyn Brothers should have made it... but

For the hosta... want to se it next year... some of the center varigated have been anuals

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » Jan 05, 2008 10:21 pm

JGH--

Is this the sign of a genius level memory or some recently retired person with a lot of time on their hands?

p.s. When a package has that many hostas in it, the law of averages comes into play. Thanks again, dear friend.

LucyGoose · Post by **LucyGoose** » Jan 05, 2008 10:59 pm

I have this one and I can't find my picture.....

....I have had it a few years, a couple for sure and it's a nice mound.....I like it a lot.....I can't remember that the slugs got it, so they must not have or I would remember that.....I say get it, it your looking for a little one.....If I find the picture, I will post....

SUEDIA · Post by **SUEDIA** » Jan 06, 2008 1:47 am

I picked this one up in June at Jim's when we were at the hosta festival in Dubuque. I sew and craft, & I just loved the name even if it is hard to fit on the tag for it. Hope it does well this year. I love the different coloring and even texture of the two colors.
TFS
Sue

Linda P · Post by **Linda P** » Jan 06, 2008 11:03 am

[quote="Hank Zumach"]JGH--

Is this the sign of a genius level memory or some recently retired person with a lot of time on their hands?

I'm going to cast my vote for the genius theory.

Or maybe a fellow sufferer of musical tourettes?

I got ST&GN mostly because it's a darn cute hosta, hard to pass up when you see it, but I do have a thing for hostas with musical names, too.
Linda P

moongirl · Post by **moongirl** » Jan 06, 2008 11:15 am

Ooohh, I'm convinced! Short listing this one!
Even better that it's small as I have a small garden and I think I'm near maxed out on the VL!
Kat

ckp · Post by **ckp** » Jan 06, 2008 2:25 pm

Is the picture of STGN by Jamie Freer in H. Library infected with the virus? Charlene

mum2knm · Post by **mum2knm** » Jan 06, 2008 2:30 pm

Adding this one to my wishlist

Kent · Post by **Kent** » Jan 06, 2008 2:40 pm

Charlene,

Jamie's Pics in the Library are right on the money.

Kent

Post by **Chris_W** » Jan 06, 2008 4:12 pm

Hi Charlene,

Like Kent mentioned, that's how this one is supposed to look. The streaks and speckles are part of its normal late season color and not caused by any viruses

And I agree, that is one of the longest hosta names I ever hope to put on a tag

: HOSTAGN.jpg (32.7 KiB) Viewed 5482 times

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Jan 06, 2008 5:08 pm

I loved reading Jim's post! Very informative and entertaining.

ViolaAnn · Post by **ViolaAnn** » Jan 06, 2008 5:56 pm

I encountered this at a local nursery last May and bought it on impulse. Though it got munched a bit, in general it did very well in its first year in my garden.

: And this is what it looked like on July 24.

: Here it was in May when I first bought it.

baja220 · Post by **baja220** » Jan 07, 2008 5:05 am

I got it last fall and I think I'm gonna love it.