Russ O'Harra Hosta Society
The "featured hosta" section aims to illustrate the wide variety of hosta sizes, shapes, colors, etc. Individual plants are mostly chosen at the whim of the webmaster. :)
March 16 featured hosta:
Risky Business by H. Hansen & T. Avent (r2002)
risky --"full of the possibility of danger, failure, or loss"
Recent events in the USA have created turmoil for all types of business both here and abroad, a risky situation for all. You may also remember the 1983 movie "Risky Business", which is considered to be Tom Cruise's breakout role (wow, was that really 42 years ago?--time flies...). What is not risky is having H. 'Risky Business' in your garden, since it is an outstanding, distinctive plant.
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H. 'Risky Business' has dark green leaves with a contrasting narrow, bright white center. Light green streaks occur where the center and margin meet. Medium lavender flowers are produced in midsummer. It is a sport of 'Striptease'. H 17" W 36"​​
See
March 9 featured hosta:
Brutus by D. & M. Beilstein (r2007)
The Ides of March is this week, perhaps made famous by Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar" that was based on the 15 March 44 BCE assassination of Caesar by Brutus, Cassius, and other members of the Roman Senate. Their action was presumably an effort to save the Roman Republic, although true motives are hard to establish two millennia later! In any case, H. 'Brutus' in your garden can remind you to consider the profound effects of Rome on the development of Western civilization.
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H. 'Brutus' has large, flat, dark green leaves with ripples and moderate corrugation. Medium purple, tubular flowers are produced in midsummer. It is a cross of 'Sea Drift' and H. venusta. H 36" W 65"
See
March 2 featured hosta:
Blue Tooth by D. & M. Beilstein (r2011)
Time for a visit with the dentist this week, who undoubtedly will remind one to floss more often. H. 'Blue Tooth' in your garden will provide a lovely counterbalance to the other image of blue tooth you may have in your mind after such a trip!
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This beautiful, medium size hosta forms a dense mound of lanceolate, powder blue leaves. Its color is softened by a glaucous bloom on the top and bottom of its leaves. Tubular, medium lavender flowers appear in late summer. It is a cross of H. 'June' x 'Azure Snow'. H 18" W 36"
See
February 23 featured hosta:
Quesadilla by M. Zilis (r2010)
Recent actions by the USA have disrupted relations with Mexico, but we can still enjoy the Mexican cultural traditions and food that have become part of the USA. You can make your own quesadillas following a multitude of recipes, or you can just find them at a local restaurant! And, even when you aren't hungry, H. 'Quesadilla' in your garden can remind you of these tasty treats all summer.
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H. 'Quesadilla' has broadly ovate, moderately wavy, slightly corrugated leaves that are slightly shiny on top. Leaves are bright green with yellow to creamy white streaks and mottled areas. H 22" W 45"
See
February 16 featured hosta:
Canadian Foreign Affairs by K. Knechtel/P. Ruh (r2002)
What, Canada doesn't want to be annexed into the USA? Canada has traditionally been a strong ally and friend of the USA, but recent actions by the USA have caused some unease in the relationship. H. 'Canadian Foreign Affairs' in your garden may remind you to consider the world from Canada's perspective.
H. 'Canadian Foreign Affairs' is a giant hosta with semi-upright, light green foliage. It has pale lavender flowers in mid-summer. The flower scapes can reach nearly 8 feet, making it possibly the tallest hosta, or at least the hosta with the tallest scapes. H 39" W 80"
See
February 9 featured hosta:
Hearts Galore by D. & M. Beilstein (r2017)
Thinking about getting your sweetie that heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day, but worried about effects on your waistline? (yes, we all know whose fingers get into the box...) How about giving a mound of green hearts instead? H. 'Hearts Galore' will convey the thought but not the calories!
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H. 'Hearts Galore' has cute, heart-shaped, medium-green leaves. Golden-yellow margins start at the leaf base and become narrower toward the leaf tip. It has medium purple flowers in early summer. The tight clump is excellent for small spaces. H 10" W 18"
See
February 2 featured hosta:
Allegan Fog by K. Herrema / R. Ruh (r2000)
Visibility was about 100 feet this morning, due to thick fog. Near-record daily high temperatures above 50F for the last week have melted the little remaining snow and ice and created a high dewpoint. The soft images we see through the fog can be remembered all year with H. 'Allegan Fog' in your garden--its leaves will gently remind you of these conditions.
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H. 'Allegan Fog' has slightly rippled leaves with soft, misted, greenish-white centers dotted with green flecks. Leaf margins are dark green. It has lavender flowers in mid-summer. A hybrid of 'Fortunei Aurea', it was named after Allegan County, Michigan. H 13" W 19"
​See
January 26 featured hosta:
Denali by R. Goodwin (r2005)
Mt. Denali in Alaska is the world's tallest mountain on land when measured from base to peak (18,000 ft; 5500 m). The native Koyukon Athabascan people have referred to the peak as Denali (='high' or 'tall') for centuries. Despite this history and the preferences of Alaskans and their Congressional delegation, a presidential executive order on Jan. 20 changed the name to Mt. McKinley. In any case, H. 'Denali' in your garden can remind you of the mountain's splendor.
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H. 'Denali' has slightly shiny, broadly ovate, dark green leaves with yellow to creamy white margins. It has near white flowers on 3' scapes in mid-summer. Parentage unknown. H 20" W 40"
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January 19 featured hosta:
Sugar Cookie by R. Solberg (NR)
48 F here on Friday, -4 F 30 hours later! Winter temperatures will be around all week, so it's time to stay warm in the kitchen baking your favorite bread and cookies (oatmeal-raisin, chocolate chip, molasses, or whatever--they'll all be good!). That all may remind you to order H. 'Sugar Cookie' for your garden, if you don't have it already.
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H. 'Sugar Cookie' has thick green leaves with a thin cream margin. The upright, wavy leaves have striking purple petioles. It is a sport of 'Sugar Plum'. H 20" W 28"
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Jan 12 featured hosta:
Fire and Ice by Hans Hansen / Shady Oaks Nursery (r1999)
Southern California is now on fire in wintertime, a heretofore very rare occurrence, while many states in the southeastern USA are buried in snow and ice this week, all reflecting the increasingly variable and extreme weather conditions associated with climate change. H. 'Fire and Ice' in your garden can remind you of this variability, while adding some distinctive flair to your plantings.​
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H. 'Fire and Ice' has slightly curled leaves with heavy substance. The broadly oval, upright leaves have pure white centers with dark green margins and form a compact clump. There are lavender flowers in midsummer. It is a reverse sport of 'Patriot'. H 16" W 24"
See
January 5 featured hosta:
Winter Snow by J. Anderson (r2003)
Just had our first real snow of the winter (i.e., had to get out the snowblower!), and that reminds one of another beautful hosta, H. 'Winter Snow'.​
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This large hosta has shiny, chartreuse (yellow-green) leaves with a white margin. Its broadly ovate leaves are moderately cupped and corrugated. It has pale lavender flowers in mid-summer. As a sport of 'Sum and Substance', it can take up some space. H 35" W 69"
See
2024
December 29 featured hosta:
Ain't Misbehavin by M. & J. Dalton (r2012)
Did the holidays provide evidence that you were naughty or nice in 2024? As a reminder, some may want to keep H. 'Ain't Misbehavin' in a prominent location in the garden in 2025! And, others can enjoy it as well!​
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This hosta has leaves that are shiny green, very wavy, and slightly twisted, with prominent veining and pie-crust edges. It has a solid, upright growth habit complemented by red-speckled petioles. This cross of 'Candy Dish' and 'Ringtail' has lavender flowers in late summer. H 16" W 24"
See
'Ain't Misbehavin' in mid-October
December 22 featured hosta:
Night before Christmas by J. Machen, Jr. 1994 (r2000)
​The December solstice just arrived, so days are getting longer and nights are getting shorter. And, what night is anxiously awaited by many? Yes, it's holiday time! But, even long after the holidays, H. 'Night before Christmas' in your garden can brighten up things all summer long.
H. 'Night before Christmas' has large leaves with creamy white centers and smooth, medium green margins. The leaf centers become more pure white over the summer. It has pale lavender flowers in mid summer. It is a sport of 'White Christmas'. H 18" W 30" See
December 15 featured hosta:
Christmas Candy by D. van Erven (r2002 by D. van Eechaute)
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​Cooler weather has finally arrived, even though yard work is not done (well, it's never ALL done...), but it's time to decorate for the holiday season, with stockings on the hearth. You'll need a slightly larger stocking to hold a pot of H. 'Christmas Candy', but the recipient can enjoy this treat all year long after planting it next spring.
H. 'Christmas Candy' has lightly wavy, lance-shaped leaves with wide, bright white centers and dark green, slightly rippled margins. It has lavender flowers in mid summer. It is a sport of 'Night before Christmas', but with more leaf substance. H 16" W 26" See
Christmas Candy in late fall
Dec 8 featured hosta:
World Cup by Beilstein/Zilis (r2006 by M. Zilis)
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​Minnesota's own Jessie Diggins is the defending World Cup cross country ski champion and is off to a strong start for the 2024-25 season after races in Finland and Norway.
You may not be as fast as Jessie on skis, but you can have a world-class hosta in your own garden by planting this hosta. H. 'World Cup' has erect leaves that are golden yellow with slightly rippled margins and are deeply cupped and corrugated. It has very pale purple flowers in midsummer. It arose from a cross of 'Komodo Dragon' and 'Superbowl'. AHGA Hosta of the Year in 2018. ​H 19" W 39"​ See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=5660
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See https://jessiediggins.com/ for information on the USA's best cross-country skier.
Jessie wins the 20K in Ruka, Finland:
December 1 featured hosta:
Pumpkin Pie by H. and D. Benedict (r2010 by R. Kuenster, AHS on their behalf)
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The leftover turkey, green-bean casserole, and mashed potatoes are almost gone, but H. 'Pumpkin Pie' in your garden can alleviate your cravings. The Benedicts rarely placed their hostas in the market, so this one is quite rare, and you will have to search hard to find it.
Leaves are medium green with a pumpkin orange/yellow center; lightly wavy, moderately corrugated. Unknown parentage. ​H 14" W 20"​
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=4150
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Photo by Rod Kuenster
November 24 featured hosta:
Thanksgiving by Ron Snyder (r2000)
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It's late November, so what other hosta could it be this week?
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This hosta has an upright growth habit with greenish yellow foliage. Its leaves have a creamy white marginal variegation visible when viewed close up and are slightly rippled, somewhat shiny on top, and rounded at the base. Lavender flowers appear in mid-summer. It is a sport of H. "Gold Regal".
​H 12" W 20"​
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=5192
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Photo from the Hosta Helper
November 17 featured hosta:
Frisian Pride by Bate Aukema (2012; nr)
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Test your knowledge of geography:
WHERE is Frisia?
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This beautiful gold hosta has smooth, long leaves with rippled edges and forms a dense, arching mound. It has pale lavender flowers in mid-summer.
​H 15" W 30+"​
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Frisia: the historic name of modern Friesland (Fryslan), a northern province of the Netherlands; also refers to the cross-border cultural region of the north Netherlands and northwestern Germany.
November 10 featured hosta:
Night Shift by D. Savory (r1991)
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Some of us are still getting used to the end of Daylight Saving Time, with its earlier nightfall. H. 'Night Shift' in your garden may remind you of the change. This sport of 'Daybreak' has large, deep yellow leaves with dark green margins and can make a spectacular specimen clump. It has lavender flowers in late summer. H 22" W 36+"​
​See
A young specimen in late summer.
November 3 featured hosta:
Lewis and Clark by Mark Zilis
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This week is the anniversary of a significant milestone in the exploration of the continental USA. On November 7, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition (aka the Corps of Discovery Expedition) first sighted the Pacific Ocean, after a 1.5 year journey from Missouri through the land acquired with the Louisiana Purchase and onward. You can remind yourself of this bit of history by having H. 'Lewis and Clark' in your garden. This reversed tissue-culture sport of 'Marquette Park' has gold/yellow foliage with a variegated green margin, with pale purple flowers in mid-summer. H 14" W 30"
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Meriwether Lewis William Clark
October 27 featured hosta:
Sea Monster by Mildred Seaver (r1978; re-r2010)
Halloween is upon us, and monsters are prowling for a night or two, but you can have your own H. 'Sea Monster' in your garden all year long. This hosta has large, cupped, thick blue-green leaves that are heavily corrugated. It has white flowers in late spring and is said to be somewhat salt tolerant. H 24" W 46"
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=4625
Bobby "Boris" Pickett's song "Monster Mash" was number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in Oct 20-27 in 1962, just before Halloween. It has become a Halloween classic.
October 20 featured hosta:
Suzanne Mahler by R. Goodenough (unregistered)
Last week, Rob Mortko discussed many relatively new hostas, including H. 'Suzanne Mahler'. This small to medium size hosta has red petioles and lavender flowers in late summer. Its viridescent leaves are yellow in spring and become chartreuse. It is a cross of 'Red Legged Plover' x 'Purple Heart'.
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Check out www.suzannemahler.com
A young plant in a nursery bed in October.
October 13 featured hosta:
Mouse Capades by R. Mortko (r2013)
Rob Mortko is the speaker for our fall meeting and has originated many hostas, so it's fitting to sample some of his work. This mini hosta is a sport of H. 'Mighty Mouse' and forms a tight clump of small leaves. The heavy leaves are medium blue-green with a creamy white margin and are intensely twisted and wavy. Pale purple flowers appear in early summer. H 7" W 18"​
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=3626
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'Mouse Capades' in October, after a season of attacks by little critters.
October 6 featured hosta:
Beer Belly Blues by R. Kuenster (r2006)
It's midway through football season, and many fans have enjoyed the pre-game tailgating, perhaps overly so in some cases, such that they now have the beer belly blues. On the other hand, everyone can welcome H. 'Beer Belly Blues' in their garden, since nothing about this plant will make you sing the blues. Its large, rounded, upright blue leaves with very thick substance are cupped with a heavy layer of wax. Near white flowers appear in midsummer.
H 26" W 36"​
See
September 29 featured hosta:
Autumn Frost by Walters Gardens, Inc. (r2009)
We have warm days this week, even after the autumnal equinox, but lower temperatures and frost are likely on the way soon. Be sure to take a look at H. 'Autumn Frost' in your garden before it gets actually frosted. This showy sport of 'First Frost' emerges with blue-green leaves with wide, creamy yellow margins that, over the summer, turn greener with creamy white margins.​ Pale lavender flowers appear in summer.
H 12" W 28"​
See
September 22 featured hosta:
Moon Glow by K. Anderson - (r1977)
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Many of us appreciate those wondrous nights softly lit by the full moon, but did you see the unusual partial eclipse of the moon this past Tuesday evening? The soft colors of H. 'Moon Glow' have gently graced gardens for half a century, reminding us of moonlight. Its chartreuse to medium-gold leaves have a white margin and deep veins yet still have a smooth, velvety texture. The flowers are nearly white with a mid-petal lavender stripe. H 17" W 40"​
See
Partial lunar eclipse on Sept. 14:
A brighter exposure (top) shows the edge of the earth's shadow more clearly.
A darker exposure (bottom) reveals features on the moon's surface that we rarely see under normal conditions.
September 15 featured hosta:
Gravity Rocks by H. Philips/D. Van Eechaute - (r2015)
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This past week, Space-X astronauts completed the first private, commercial space walk, defying gravity. (The rest of us are fortunate to have gravity to hold everything together!) H. 'Gravity Rocks' will remind you of the importance of gravity, as its twisted mass forms a chaotic clump. The slender, curled, yellow leaves have excellent substance, with blue-green margins that streak into the center of the leaf. This unique plant has lavender flowers in midsummer.
H 8" W 15"​
See
September 8 featured hosta:
Victory by M. Zilis (r2003)
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Cyclone football fans are rejoicing with the last-second win over the Hawkeyes, and they'll want to plant H. 'Victory' in their gardens as a reminder. Everyone else can plant it as well, because it is a stunning plant. This 2015 Hosta of the Year has large green leaves with irregular yellow-to-creamy margins. Tall scapes have pale lavender flowers in midsummer. H 30" W 70"​
See
September 1 featured hosta:
1st and Ten by D. and M. Beilstein (r2013)
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Love it or not, football season is upon us. You'll hear/see '1st and Ten' a lot on TV, but not so frequently in gardens. This giant hosta can be almost 3 feet tall, with huge, blue-green, heart-shaped leaves that are deeply veined and slightly cupped, with rippled margins. H 32" W 50"​
See
August 25 featured hosta:
Blazing Hot by Zilis / Solberg
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Iowa has been fortunate to have a relatively not-as-hot summer while much of the rest of the country has been hit with historic high temperatures. But, the next few days will be quite warm here, so keep an eye on your fittingly named H. 'Blazing Hot'. This sport of 'Blaze of Glory' has bright yellow leaves with green margins, with the centers becoming more green by mid-summer. Near-white flowers appear in mid-summer. H 18" W 36"​
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August 18 featured hosta:
Stormy Seas by M. Zilis (r2004)
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Hurricane season in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is underway, and Hurricane Ernesto is currently churning the waters. Here in the Midwest, we don't notice hurricanes much, but having H. 'Stormy Seas' in your garden may remind you of them. This hosta forms an unruly mound of thick, corrugated, wavy, puckered, blue leaves that gradually become more green. H 26" W 52"​
See
August 11 featured hosta:
Elatior by Maekawa/Ruh (r2002)
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​The Iowa State Fair has announced its Big Boar, Big Ram, and Super Bull contest winners. While we can't transport big hostas to the fair, you can gain neighborhood bragging rights for biggest hosta with H. 'Elatior'. Mark Zilis says it "can only be viewed with awe. The massive mound of large, shiny green foliage is impressive enough; the flower stalks that reach 6-7 feet high add a striking vertical element to the shaded landscape." 'Elatior' has funnel-shaped, near-white flowers with a lavender pattern in mid-petal. H 31-43", W 74-91"
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A specimen of 'Elatior' that is 96" in diameter:
August 4 featured hosta:
Ambrosia by R. Solberg (r2016)
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The Olympics are underway in Paris, and the Greek gods on Mount Olympus surely must be cheering on their favorites while consuming their ambrosia, which legend says confers immortality. While you may not want to consume this hosta, having its beauty in your garden may ease your mind and add some heartbeats to your lifespan.
This sport of H. 'Guacamole' has waxy leaves that are light yellow, with a medium blue-green margin. It has fragrant, pale lavender, tubular flowers in late July/August. H 24" W 54"
See
July 28 featured hosta:
Tiki Bar by R. Solberg (r2022)
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"It's summer time, and the livin' is easy...." Relax and enjoy a cool beverage by your H. 'Tiki Bar'.
This sport of 'Appletini' has heart-shaped leaves with yellow-green centers surrounded by thick, green margins. It forms a compact, attractive mound. Purple flowers in mid-summer. H 8", W 18"​
​See
July 21 featured hosta:
Blue Arrow by K. Anderson (r1982)
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The Iowa Games archery competition is underway, but if you aren't shooting arrows there, you'll need to hit the target with H. 'Blue Arrow' in your garden. The thick, glossy, pointed blue leaves are wavy and slightly cupped, with an arrowhead shape. The plant forms an attractive, somewhat upright mound. H 18", W 24"​
​See
July 14 featured hosta:
Humpback Whale by Mildred Seaver (r2012 by C. Seaver)
Attendees at the 2024 AHS national convention in Massachusetts had the opportunity to go whale-watching on the Atlantic Ocean. If you missed that trip, you can just watch H. 'Humpback Whale' in your garden. This massive hosta forms a dome of blue-green, corrugated, heart-shaped leaves, with 4' scapes bearing white, bell-shaped flowers. H 36", W 84"​
​See
July 7 featured hosta:
Independence by Walters Gardens (r2001)
​July 4 is Independence Day. The name of this hosta will remind you of that. The leaves have green speckling in the pale yellow margin and very heavy substance. H 14", W 13".
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=2518
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Consider adding H. 'Independence Day' and 'Fireworks' to your collection as well.
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July 3 fireworks at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA.
Click the image to start/stop the video.
Click the notes in the lower right corner for sound on/off
June 30 featured hosta:
Pineapple Salsa by R. Solberg (r2022)
​Just now getting tomatoes and peppers from the vegetable garden, so it's time for salsa. You can also spice up your hosta beds with this sport of H. 'Mango Salsa' that has bright yellow leaves with dark green margins that are "lightly wavy and corrugated overall. Red speckles from the petioles extend into the base on both sides of the leaves." Red petioles contribute to a colorful clump. H 12", W 20".
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=49641
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June 23 featured hosta:
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by L. Jones (r2005)
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Astronomical summer has arrived, so it may be time to hit the beach and bag some rays! (but use sunscreen...) In any case, you'll need a yellow polka dot bikini! This hosta has cupped leaves with bright yellow margins that eventually change to apple green. Fine white lines separate the margin from the darker green center. H 9", W 17".
See
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.php?id=5693
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Bryan Hyland's song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 and prompted a sudden takeoff in bikini sales.
June 16 featured hosta:
Ruby Earrings by R. Solberg
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Need a gift for that special someone?? Jewelry is always in style! H. 'Ruby Earrings' will certainly decorate your garden! This exciting new hosta, with rather complicated parentage, reflects the efforts of Bob Solberg (and others) to emphasize red and purple colors in hostas. The cupped, ear-shaped yellow leaves have striking ruby-red petioles that extend far into the leaf. 10" H x 22" W.
June 9 featured hosta:
Sno Cone by R. Solberg (r2009)
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Meteorological summer has arrived and temperatures are going up, so it's time for a H. 'Sno Cone'!
This sport from 'Night Before Christmas' has thick leaves that emerge white with a dark green border. It forms a nice clump about 10" H, 24" W and has light lavender flowers in mid-season.
See
June 2 featured hosta:
Wheee! by Walters Gardens
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Who needs a roller coaster when you have H. 'Wheee!'?
From the SHADOWLAND® Collection of Walters Gardens: Extremely ruffled, cream colored margins extend from the tip of each green leaf all the way down the petiole to the crown. This ruffled margin is evident even in the juvenile stage of the plant before vernalization. The leaves of this medium-sized hosta are of excellent substance, making them slug resistant in the landscape.
May 26 featured hosta:
Kaleidochrome by M. Zilis (2009; r2018)
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Now, for something a bit different: This plant was obtained from a garden center in Kanuma City, Japan, with parentage unknown. It is streaked and mottled. It forms a mound about 10" H and 22" W.
See
May 19 featured hosta:
Dancing Queen by K. Terpening (2005; r2009)
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2020 Hosta of the Year! This beauty is definitely one the best medium/large gold-leaf hostas ever introduced. Its gorgeous large golden leaves have a piecrust or wavy edge. It forms a distinctive 18" tall x 36" wide clump that demands attention!
The song "Dancing Queen" was released by ABBA in 1976; it's the original and forever best version, with Frida and Agnetha! :)
May 12 featured hosta:
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Silly String by Hans Hansen
This is a hybrid from H. 'Curly Fries'. Much like its parent, 'Silly String' has long, narrow leaves with lots of ruffles. The plant starts out blue in the spring and turns more blue-green by mid- summer. An excellent grower, 'Silly String' quickly forms a neatly tangled clump about 14" tall and 28" wide. It has fertile, light purple flowers in mid-summer.
See
May 5 featured hosta:
Roderick by Russ O'Harra (r1999 by ROHS)
This cultivar of unidentified parentage (but likely H. 'Elatior'), was introduced by Russ O'Harra and later registered by Russ O'Harra Hosta Society in 1999. It forms a giant size mound up to 37 inches in height with a spread of 83 inches. The leaves are ovate, are generally smooth textured, have a thick underside bloom, and have good substance. Its very pale lavender flowers bloom on 48-inch tall scapes.
See
