Hosta 'Emperor's New Clothes' – A Very Distinct Introduction from Walters Gardens, Inc.
Classical music. Liver and onions. Staying up late vs. getting up early. The smell of to- bacco. Every person has their own likes and dislikes. It is no surprise, then, that when it comes to gardening, we do not all have the same preferences.
For example, a few of my friends are attracted to miniature hostas. Some even create magical fairy gardens. By contrast, I personally search for the largest specimens to beautify my landscape. I just think the enormous varieties are much more impres- sive.
And then there are people who have theme gardens – a Food Garden, an Animal Garden, or a Star Trek Garden. One of our club members has many theme gardens, even a flowerbed with the names of his children and grandchildren. I will admit that a landscape organized by themes may pique my interest for a minute or two, but I have never had the inclination to organize my own gardens topically.
The point is that we are all different (thank goodness!) and as gardeners, there are hostas that some individuals find appealing while others do not. Such will likely be the case with a new introduction from Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens – H. 'Emperor's New Clothes'. Simply put, you will either like this one or you will not!
A Hosta Like None Other
Hosta 'Emperor's New Clothes' is a mutation of H. 'Empress Wu' which occurred dur- ing tissue culture production. Discovered at Walters Gardens, Inc. in March 2018, H. 'Emperor's New Clothes' looks nothing like its parent. The sole resemblance is in name only. Reaching a diameter of 41 inches and a height of 21 inches, H. 'Emperor's New Clothes' is a medium-sized hosta – much smaller than the long-standing record breaker, H. 'Empress Wu'. The leaf size is reduced also, measuring 9 inches long by 6 inches wide. Scapes up to 32 inches high bare 2-inch pale lavender flowers in early summer, extending for a four-week period.
Shopping for the Latest in Fashion
So, what kind of music do you like? Do you enjoy liver and onions? Are you a night owl, or an early riser? We all have different preferences. The same is true for hostas. Do you like Hosta 'Emperor's New Clothes'? If it rings your bell and tickles your fancy, you should add it to your wish list.
Availability from Walters Gardens, Inc. is scheduled for April/May 2024. Wal- ters is a wholesale supplier only. Their website is at https:// www.waltersgardens.com/ . Tissue-cultured hostas are offered in trays of 72.
If you are not set up to purchase hostas in bulk from a wholesaler, my recom- mendation is to first check with your local nursery. Now let me say that I admire those who own and operate a greenhouse or small plant nursery. It is grueling work and the
AHS eNewsletter 21 January 2023
profits are minimal. The bottom line is they need YOUR business to stay IN business. If your local supplier does not have a plant that is on your wish list, perhaps they would order it for you. In the event that you are unable to find 'Emperor's New Clothes' at a local source, go ahead then and place an order with your favorite mail or- der nursery.
As a final note, keep in mind that H. 'Emperor's New Clothes' is protected by a Plant Patent (PP34,3312), which means that asexual propagation is prohibited unless permission is granted by the patent holder. For further information about H. 'Emperor's New Clothes', the registration details including additional photos can be perused on the Hosta Treasury website at
https://www.hostaregistrar.org...
1 A list of Speckled-Leaved Hostas can be found on the Hosta Lists website at
http://www.hostalists.org/ .
2 Information on the mutation of H. 'Empress Wu' to H. 'Emperor's New Clothes'
per email discussion with Ben J. M. Zonneveld and Warren I. Pollock.
