Tuesday, July 21, 2009

How to Grow a Hosta like this

When I visited Foxfire Gardens in Marshfield a few weeks ago, my friend, Gina, was amazed at the size of this hosta Montana 'Aureomarginata'. Even my husband told me I definitely had to buy one of those when we visited earlier in June. Gina and I are were trying to guess at how long that hosta had been in the garden. We both guessed that it had to have been there at least 20 years. So when we went up to the nursery and had a chance to talk to the owners we were surprised by the answer. It had been planted less than 5 years ago. The owner saw how surprised we were, and explained to us how that particular hosta had grown so big in so little time. The number one thing is that is needs to come from good stock. Then after that all this one needs is some sunshine (yes, you heard right) and an inch of water a day. Hostas are not sun intolerant, they are heat intolerant, and some hostas can take heat more than others. This is one that happens to love the sunshine in Wisconsin.

5 comments:

Jeff Branch said...

Amazing hosta. I would be interested in the actual width and height. It looks like a monster - I did not know montana Aureomarginata gets that big :). This one is on my wish list.

Hosta Nerd said...

That hosta has to at least be 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall. Not sure how wide it is exactly, but it's a biggie. I've had mine for 5 years and it has hardly grown. So I now moved it to a sunny location close to the hose (since we never seem to get rain any more) where I can water it every morning. It is already growing new eyes.
Jen

Hostabuff said...

I wish I lived out your way so I could visit Foxfire Gardens. I was just planning to send them an order for some hard-to-come-by hosta varieties - to be delivered by mail. Lovely photos!

Sylvana said...

I have planted a Aureomarginata (not sure what type) about 4 years ago. It is not quite as big as this one, but I was very surprised at how big it has gotten so far!

Hosta Nerd said...

Foxfire has wonderful plants. They are in danger of closing because of neighbors and other things that are going on.