Hosta of the day - hosta 'American Icon'

Today's hosta is 'American Icon'.  'American Icon' is a very fast growing hosta in my garden.  I am a sucker for any hosta with a pie crust edge (way edge), and this one does not disappoint.  It's another huge hosta that can grow to be about 5' across.  It has green leaves that have a wide border of gold/green.

2011 pic

2010 pic

Hosta of the Day - hosta 'Alligator Shoes'

Today's hosta is a real beauty, but her true beauty takes time to be revealed.  hosta 'Alligator Shoes' when fully mature has very pebbled blue green leaves with an ivory border.  It's leaves are large, but are very pointed (because it is part of the Montana family of hostas) at the end.   An immature 'Alligator Shoes' will have leaves that are more green in color and smooth.  It's an average to slow growing hosta, but your patience with this one will pay off.

A mature 'Alligator Shoes'

A not quite mature 'Alligator Shoes'

Hosta of the day - hosta 'plantaginea'

This week I have featured a hosta with large leaves, a hosta that covers a large area, and I will close the week with a hosta that has a very large bloom.  hosta 'plantaginea' has flowers that measure about 4" long.  Just the size of the flowers make this hosta a must have, but there is the extra bonus that these flowers are also highly fragrant.  The down side is that the flowers usually open late afternoon or at night, so during the day they will often look like the one in the picture below.  The plant itself has medium to large heart shaped leaves that are glossy and green.  The seeds it produces are very viable, and it is the parent plant of many other fragrant hostas.

Hosta of the Day - hosta 'Squash Casserole'

Today's hosta, hosta 'Squash Casserole' is another monster.  Squash Casserole has medium to large leaves, but it can grow up to 4 feet wide!  The leaves are chartreuse and are slightly wavy.  The scapes can grow to be almost 2' tall with light purple flowers.  It's definitely one that grabs people's attention!

Hosta of the Day - hosta 'Elegans'

With the winter here, I've decided to showcase various hostas throughout the winter.  

Today's hosta is hosta 'Elegans'.  Elegans is a very large leafed hosta that is blue green in color.  As the summer progresses it turns more green in color.  The leaves are very deep veined and are "quilted".  Elegans is one of the earliest hostas to bloom.  The blooms are white and are held close to the hosta.  Not sure if you have an Elegans, you can usually tell by the bloom time.

 Flowers are white and held close to the hosta.  It blooms very early in summer.

 In spring the leaves are more of a blue-green color.

As summer progresses the waxy blue of the leaves will be replaced with more green.

Happy Holidays from Cheesehead Gardening

Cheesehead Gardening Video Co-Host Featured in Local Paper

My Cheesehead Gardening co-host, Erin Culligan, was featured in our local newspaper for her caring spirit.
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