I have found a new place for mini hostas, which I never thought of before, among some hellebores and heucheras. Duh.

Anyway, wondering if you could tell me your favorite mini, please. I am interested in some plain colors, along with a few others, since there is already a lot going on. Pictures are nice.

I have looked at the other threads and found some on minis, but I'd like to know your favorites.

And so far what do you think of the 'tinis?

Thanks all!

Blue Mouse Ears. Love them.

Thanks Deb! Is it a good grower?

When you say plain you mean not variegated?

Yes, but I'll go for each. I just have quite a bit of color going on there, but I think a few variegated would be nice. I can probably fit in 20 at least.

Three of these in here, buds heavily.
Cherish
Snow Mouse inbetween two Frosted Mouse and small Aurora in front.
'remember me' is listed as a small but is very attractive.

CAMEO

Thanks Susan! The mouse collection might be a good one for the spot. I do love collections. That's why I was asking about the 'tini ones.

'Blue Mouse Ears' is a very good grower and will get a LOT larger than those pictured.

If you want solid colour, 'Baby Bunting' is a small blue that's a good grower. 'Tiny Tears' is a fast-growing green mini. Those are just off the top of my head. I'll post more later - all my pics are on my other computer.

As far as the "mice", I personally think they are highly overrated. Unstable with many variations which essentially fall into only a few categories - solid blue or green, white or creamy margin, white or creamy leaf centre and streaked. It's difficult to tell the difference between many of them, if indeed there is a difference. It's quite possible that multiple people experienced similar sports and that plants registered by more than one person may be virtually identical but under 2 different names.

But if you want a nice one, it's not part of the same family. I LOVE my 'Country Mouse'.

Yes, the ones in the photo were liners that had just been received from Ed Bentley. Since you will consider variegated, too, I LOVE Mighty Mouse (not only because it was my favoritist cartoon ever ever ). This one has survived very nicely in the container for the last three years, including through two years of extraordinary heat, even for us.

'Baby Bunting' late June


'Blue Cadet' is classified as a mini though I've never really considered it as such. This will form a good-sized mound quite quickly. I've been dividing mine to make a border. Early July.


'Blue Ice' is more slow growing, but a pretty little plant. Late June.


'Cameo' is the member of the 'Baby Bunting' family which does best for me aside from BB itself. Mid-July.


'Country Mouse' - different family from BME and I really like this little one.


'Cracker Crumbs' is being divided into a border. Late June but we had an early spring so it was already greening up but it's bright yellow when it emerges.

Thank you ladies!

Deb, love Mighty Mouse!

Ann, lots of goodies there. I especially like Cracker Crumbs and Blue Cadet for my purpose.

Has anyone tried any of the 'tinis?

'Curly Fries', mid Aug. Not really sure this one is a mini, but I think it stays small. It was new to me in 2012, but so far I really like it.


'Dixie Chickadee' late June. I've had this a couple of years.


'Dragon Tails', late July. This one is quite little.


'Grand Prize' early July


'Green Eyes' in early July was already showing signs of being munched, even in a pot.


'Heavenly Tiara', late June

'Hidden Cove' is really pretty but gets munched badly. Late June.


'Kifukurin Ko Mame' is hard to find now, but makes a wonderful border. This all came from one tiny plant maybe 12 years ago. And I have it in 4 spots. I'd gladly send you some, but I'm in Canada.


'Kinbotan' I've had only a few years, but it makes me thin of KKM in the way it grows. Seems to be vigorous.


'Lemon Frost' mid June. Very fast growing, sometimes blooms more than once a season. Irregular white margin.


'Limey Lisa' late June. This one grows into a dense mound very quickly. Last time I divided it - spring 2011, I replanted into a mass of single-eye divisions.


'Little Red Rooster', late June. Fast growing - was divided spring 2011. Nice red legs.

'Lakeside Elfin Fire' - I've found this one to be a fast grower for one with a white leaf centre, but not fast enough to make a good border; so I dug all the plants from the "border" and lumped them together last spring.


'Lakeside Zinger', mid July. Another which quickly grows into a dense mound.


'Lonesome Dove', late June. I've found this one to be an exceptionally slow grower.


'Peanut' is not a fast grower. This one around July 21.


'Popo' in mid July. I've had this a couple of years and quite like it.

more tomorrow. Want to watch some TV.

Figures, I love the 'Kifukurin Ko Mame'.

Polly, I haven't been to Rochester since September, but made 3 trips down there this past June-Sept. Too bad I can't legitimately bring some with me as I go through Fulton on Rte 3 - real close to you.

Here are some more.


'Rainbow's End' - late June. This is NOT a mini, but it sure is small and is as close to a slug proof hosta as I have in my garden.


Someone mentioned 'Remember Me' above. It's another that is NOT a mini, but it is slow growing and very pretty. The leaves have bright yellow centres when they emerge. Mine didn't grow for ages, but has done much better the last couple of years.


'Silver Threads and Golden Needles' is classified as a mini and a leaf has won me a first prize at a show for the last two years, but slugs get at it later in the season. This pic late June.


'Stiletto' late June. This is a mature plant.


'Surprised By Joy' is classified as a mini and still looked good at the end of June. Actually, a copper mesh collar around this one kept it looking good most of the summer, but slugs like it.


'Tears of Joy' is likely my tiniest hosta. This picture July 3.

My other tiniest one, now gone because the squirrels dug it up twice in one day. This is 'Teeny-weeny Bikini' late June. I'll search for a replacement.


I mentioned this one above - 'Tiny Tears', early July. Fast growing - I've had it two years.


Another mentioned above, 'Twist of Lime', mid June.



Another very small hosta that is presently growing slowly for me. A couple of years ago a squirrel dug it up and left it to die. I found it and it survived, but hasn't grown as fast since. 'White Dove'. It DID bloom for me for the first time this year at the very end of August. The plant pic is from late June.


'X-rated' - an enthusiastic mini. I divided it in spring 2011 and replanted what I didn't sell in a group of 3. This pic, mid June.

Good info, I am just beginning to collect them also.

BLUE MOUSE EARS is my first one and it has done well in 3 yrs

LAKESIDE CUPCAKE is cute but a slow grower for me

I just got 'Lakeside Cupcake' last year, also finally got 'Pandora's Box', and 'Teeny-weeny Bikini'. Lonesome Dove has been really slow for me and I treat it like a mini.


- 'Lonesome Dove'
- Flowers on 'Twist of Lime'