Three Sisters

[largosmom]

Aphrodite on the left, Athena is the stripy one in the middle (from Hallsons), and Plantaginea...the older sister, is on the right. All three need will go into my "memory garden" for their lovely large flowers and hopefully nice scent.

click to enlarge the photo

[Chris_W]

Thanks for sharing! Your Athena has some terrific streaking plus plenty of vigor - great to see

Chris

[flowerchild59]

Nice looking plants. Where did you find your athena?

[Chris_W]

Hi Cheryl,

Laura bought that one from us, I think a couple years ago. Unfortunately we are out of them now, I have 2 left for 2 orders waiting to go.

Sorry,

Chris

[Tigger]

I could kick myself for not picking up an Athena in 2006 for $20. But then again, I can't get Aphrodite to bloom.

[Pieter]

It seems the plantaginea members require plenty of heat in order to flower. I have a 'Venus' and have only gotten it to the bud stage, in its first year. Haven't been able to give it enough sun to satisfy its heat requirements, plus, it's a hot day around here if it gets beyond 80F... I suspect it looks for more than that. Too bad really, all the hybrids I have, such as 'Fragrant Bouquet', 'Guacamole' and 'Stained Glass' are all good growers and reliably bloomers.

[jobranch]

Pretty. I don't have a streaked one yet. I'll have to be on the lookout for Athena.

[Chris_W]

I'd heard that Aphrodite needed more sun to flower, so the first batch I grew were planted in a spot with sun until noon/1pm. Only a few developed scapes, those that did aborted. The next batch went into deep shade. More of those sent up scapes, but they also aborted. However, a few days later it started to rain, and rain, and rain. Some new scapes came up on Athena and on a few of the Aphrodite in the shade and those opened.

So from my own personal observations, more sunlight didn't make a bit of difference. Tons of moisture right at the time they were setting buds made them flower here in complete, full shade.

[largosmom]

I will make sure these ladies get plenty of water. They put some size on the leaves this year for certain. I haven't yet seen the flowers on Aphrodite or Athena. Plantaginia is always a favorite for the flower size though.

[largosmom]

Forgot to say, yes Athena was from Chris. I will have to look back. I think I have some photos of them at the gardens.

I am heading that way next week by the way. Hope there is something left for me! I am planning to drive up on Friday.

[Ginger]

When I first saw the title, I thought it was going to be pumpkin, corn and squash All three are beautiful hosta, especially Athena!

Ginger