I've got a Raspberry Sundae and it's doing OK but is a slow grower.

Here are some more that I like.

H. 'Marilyn Monroe' - love this one. Really frilly leaves with white petticoats underneath. Covered with late season blooms in October.


H. 'Curly Fries' - in full sun after we removed a tree and did well all summer


H. 'Pure Heart' of the Mouse Ears family (the only one that has, so far, stayed white in the middle for me)


H. 'Revolution'


H. 'Frisian Pride' - lovely yellow. Gets a lot of sun and doing well.


H. 'Deja Blu' - blue leaves with a GREEN margin


H. 'Lakeside Mom' - my favourite streaked plant


H. 'Jewel of the Nile'


H. 'Touch of Class'

Lovely photos, Ann - although they have made me add to my 'wants' list!

I am finding that many of the newer cultivars are being bred to produce more impressive blooms. I need to see what Kevin Vaughn is working on right now.

Beautiful photos Margaret, Debbie and Ann.
I'm going to see if I can find 'Marilyn Manroe', I love the ruffled edges and the contrasting color on the back of the leaves.

Viola , I Love Marilyn Monroe as well as Frisian Pride and Lakeside Mom

Lynn, Does Kevin breed/cultivate Hostas as well as the semps and iris? He his a multi-plant maestro. (need a "Total Awe" emoticon. Can you point me to one of his Hosta in the DB?

Yes he does. He has some very well know hostas that have been around for quite some time. He has some amazing news ones that he is trialing as of last year when I was at his place.
I see the hosta's 'Search By' does not include the hybridizer, as does our sempervivum database.

I googled it and found a great short article on his hosta breeding, why it was out of the picture for a number of years, and why now he is back at it again. The ones I have seen so far are very exciting indeed. http://www.hostalibrary.org/fi...

Have you seen/own the book of Kevin's about hostas? Now I am truly impressed.

I Will see if I can find one of his to have for my own.

No I have not.

Should share with you, a pic of 'Marilyn Monroe' in bloom - September 28.


Ann

Okay, now that is just not fare. I will have to hunt that one down a acquire it.
Just look at those beautiful purple blooms against the leaf color. It is beautiful, no wonder it is one of your favorites.

I just love these pictures of the multiplant photos showing these plants. Enough color even without showy blooms. This is one showing a variety of Hostas.

Thanks Ann; had Curly Fries, Revolution and Frisian Pride on my short list so now will have to add Marilyn Monroe! She is a beauty indeed. I have Touch of Class as well; I'm very partial to the blues and to the offspring of Halcyon. Deja Blue and Lakeside Mom are calling as well, I'm afraid. I may reconsider Raspberry Sundae if it's a slow grower.

This was my 'Raspberry Sundae' last summer before it got too faded (July 3). It was in a bit too much sun due to the loss of a tree. It was very interesting to see which hostas did really well in more sun though. (Fortunately, most of my hostas were situated elsewhere). This plant was new in 2011.

I do like how much white this one has!!!!

Yay for Hostas!
I just can't imagine a shady patch without at least a few

dirtdorphins said:Yay for Hostas!
I just can't imagine a shady patch without at least a few

Paul has a way of providing wonderful hosta vistas

I want a garden just like this one.

Me too; took the words right out of my mouth! His gardens have that drool factor!

I got to thinking about this "contest' last night and wondering if it could/should have been named
"What Shade Plant could you not do without" Many of these plants are wonderful companions but I wonder if one plant could stand alone in a garden without embellishment from other plants?

I don't have an answer, do you? I do know variety helps highlight the various plants but Which plant would you recommend if it were the only plant you could have in your shade garden?

If I had to chose, it would still be hostas. The foliage comes in so many different colors and plant size varies from mini to very large. Even if they don't flower they are still beautiful and could stand alone in any garden. I had a large assortment of hosta before I ever thought to start adding companion plants.

I think I would have to agree with Rose, hostas are outstanding shade plants.