All About Home and Garden

Even non-gardeners seem to know about hostas - the ever-present shade perennial that is found near most homes. But in committing myself to shade gardening earlier this year, I wanted to make a statement with them. I wanted hostas that couldn't be ignored.

So in early May I got myself to a nursery that has the largest selections of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden decor near me and asked "What are the largest hostas you have?" The answer came back 'Empress Wu' and 'Sum and Substance'.

Now 'Empress Wu' is a relatively new variety of hosta that is supposed to become ginormous. 'Empress Wu' is named after the only lady emperor of China. It reaches a height of 3 - 4' and has very large leaves of any hosta (up to 18" long!). I make and sell concrete leaf castings and so this was of keen interest to me besides the fact that I some large shady spaces to fill.

As I picked up a one gallon pot, I have to say it looked very similar in size to any other blue-green hosta, but at three times the price! The spacing on this baby is 4 - 6'. Now talk about a filler plant - this is it! I'm hoping at least... Right now it doesn't seem to have grown from when I first planted it. And it suffered some nibbles from the rabbits that run rampant in my yard.

Maybe it is putting all its energy into growing fabulous roots. I will find out soon, because I will be relocating this prime specimen to where some shrubs have recently been moved. I will also feed 'Empress Wu' with plant growth hormone to stimulate growth when it is in its final spot.

Information I've researched says it may take up to four years to reach its full size. This hosta likes part shade to shade and moist but not soggy conditions - so she definitely will be something to watch grow.

'Sum and Substance' is also an impressively tall shade perennial reaching up to three feet in height and having spacing requirements between five to six feet wide. Where it differs from the Empress, is that the preferred light conditions are part sun to sun. Even its foliage looks sunnier! The chartreuse leaves are large - 9" wide and up to 20" long. Also a prime candidate for making concrete leaf castings!

I learned that the brighter the leaves, the brighter the light requirements. The dark green and blue hostas tend to prefer shade whereas the yellow to chartreuse colored leaves will thrive even in a sunny place.

'Sum and Substance' is replacing a sickly rose that had been giving me indications that the sunlight was waning. It still gets some direct sun, especially in the afternoon, but not enough for a rose. I'm betting it is perfect light conditions for this hosta. Another benefit of this specimen is that it is supposed to be slug resistant. So great expectations for this one as well!

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