Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in American women. The disease has touched the lives of many of the people at Walters Gardens, Inc. in recent years, especially those who knew Sandy De Boer, a wonderful employee who worked in the hosta house at Walters. She succumbed to the disease in 2001. Her favorite hosta was 'June', so it only seemed fit that the next sport of 'June' be named in honor of Sandy. That's how 'Remember Me' came to be. Since that time, Walters Gardens, Inc. has contributed over $27,000 to our local Grand Rapids, Michigan affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, all gleaned from the proceeds of the plant's sales, and the contributions continue today. 'Remember Me' is not only in honor of Sandy, but also honors the thousands of women who fight this life-threatening disease every day.
My 'Remember Me' was new spring 2006. I found it a painfully slow grower for the first 4 years, showing good growth only in its 5th year 2010 and this year. Because it was quite white when I first got it, I was really surprised when it emerged bright yellow a year later. This year, it has finally bloomed for me and there's been enough new growth during the year that it has always had a yellowish cast to its centre.
Thanks for the history behind this plant. Both of my sisters have battled with breast cancer so I identify with the search for a cure. Also, thanks for the background on your particular plant. You give me hope that my "Remember Me" purchased in 2007 may yet prosper. As you described with yours, mine just kind of "exists". I will admit, it was slightly better this year than any of the previous years, so now I can hope for even better growth in 2012.
Remember me is as port of June, mine was bought in tribute after my mother died with cancer. To be honest it was cancer of the pancreas as was my mothers. My Remember me never did well at all. It too died after 3 years.
Mark - I'm not sure I understand you correctly, but 'Remember Me' was sold as a benefit and memorial to someone who died from BREAST cancer, not pancreatic cancer though pancreatic cancer sure is a killer and doesn't get anywhere close to the attention it deserves.
Ok sorry I was always under the impression the lady died of Pancreatic cancer too. I thought it was a fitting memorial to my mam think Remeber me died cos my mam didnt like hosta at all, yours look excellent tho.
I bought 2 'Remember Me' last August and planted them in 2 different growing conditions because I had heard it was difficult to grow. One withered and died because it was dug out by some animal overwinter. This picture was taken on May 22, 2012. In hindsight I should have planted the 2 RM together and after all the info in the previous posts I should have bought a bigger plant to begin with. Guess I'm going to have a long wait to see this one increase in size. Lots of water and fertilizer going to this baby next year.
BTW, not only is this one slow to grow, this is about the 5th attempt to post its picture, after I reduced its size even further. LOL
2014 - I divided 5 eyes from mine and sent 3 to the pastor who filled in at our church last year while our pastor was on sabbatical. I know this is a memorial plant, but I also felt the name was appropriate under the circumstances. The other 2 eyes were planted in the hosta garden at my church. The plant didn't skip a beat and you'd hardly know it was divided. BTW, a couple of years ago I move 'Aristocrat' to be next to it. The colours are roughly reversed and they look great. Picture July 16, 2014.