July 1998

Hosta & Ornamental Grass Enthusiasts Newsletter
AAA Ornamentals @ http://www.hostas.com
Vol. 1, No. 7, July, 1998

The complete web-site went over an over-haul! Content is the same but restructured to allow for many of the planned changes starting in the fall. You will find a left navigation panel on all pages so you can easily click from one related page to another. I hope you enjoy the new color scheme which should make the reading of the text easier. The front-page has a new directory system which lays out the complete web-site in just one screen with more information that the selection matrix found on the older page. Don't forget to click on 'REFRESH' is the pages still come up the same for you. Behind the scenes Newsletter Registration is finished to better automate the high request rate of this newsletter. Thank you one and all!

Hostas

This month I must make a comment about the continued propagation (no pun intended) of the thought that hostas can ONLY live in shade or very minimal sun. I just read an article in 'Fine Gardening - March/April '96' which continued to spread this incorrect knowledge. Let's review some of the statements made in this article. NOTE: All of my comments are based on zone 5 growing of hostas. Of course, as one goes south, the intensity of the sun and the heat would make this article totally true, but not all encompassing for every growth zone that hostas can survive.

	"Hostas will grow in bright or dappled shade . . ." is true, but the article restricted their usage only to bright or dappled shade.
	"Add light to shady corners - Variegated and gold hostas add light to a shady garden. Combine them with shade-tolerant annuals and perennials . . ." Hostas also are shade tolerant, not shade only. Gold hostas will not become their true gold color if not allowed to have sufficient sun.
	"Gold-leafed hostas glow in shade." False. Gold-leafed hostas in the shade are a lighter shade of green. They will never reach the brilliant yellow and gold colors. During my Indianapolis trip, Clyde compared 'Paul's Glory' with another near-by plant which closely resembled it. Ask, which one I prefer, I said the other. But, with as little as 1-2 hours of direct sun, 'Paul's Glory' transforms itself from blue/green edged, lighter green center to blue/green edged, gold center. Grown correctly with the correct amount of needed sun, 'Paul's Glory' is the winner!
	"Healthy hostas need shade. For maximum beauty, hostas need good light but little direct sun. In the North, they may benefit from morning sun. . . but no hostas should be subjected to entire days of full sun." Bunk. Refer to my web-page http://www.hostas.com/hostas/hosta-sunorshade.html. There are many varieties of hosta which perform well in full sun in the heat of zone 5 summers with sufficient watering. Once of my favorite full sun hostas is 'Invincible' http://www.hostas.com/images/hostas/invincib.jpg. It is also highly fragrant!

Grasses

What's in a Miscanthus?? As you notice in many of the botanical names, there are two Latin names. These are the genus and species names of the plant. For example, you will find on our web-site, Miscanthus floridulus, Miscanthus sinensis 'cultivar'. There are also some other species of Miscanthus listed below with their differences.

	floridulus (or giganteus), or Giant Chinese Silver Grass, origin China, largest Miscanthus species. Canes can be up to two inches thick, and 10 to 15 feet tall. Clumping, warm season grass.
	oligostachys, or Small Japanese Silver Grass, compact species with showy flowers reaching 3-4 feet.
	sacchariflorus, or Silver Banner Grass, Origin China, Korea, Japan, hardiest and cold-tolerant species of Miscanthus. Foliage grows to 4-6 feet, upright canes, leaves up to 3/4 inch wide. Flowers rise 2-3 feet above foliage. Creeping, aggressive rhizomes form dense colonies. Good for water gardening because it can grow in shallow water.
	sinensis, or Japanese Silver Grass, and its cultivars are some of the most desirable ornamental grasses grown today. Clumping, warm season grass. Well suited for water gardens at or near the water's edge.
	transmorrisonensis, or Evergreen Miscanthus, origin Taiwan. New introduction hardy only to zone 7, remains evergreen.

(Summarized from: "The Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses", by John Greenlee).

Tidbits

Late season hosta divisions are safely accomplished by washing off dirt, splitting just the crown, and gently separating the roots. It is important to maintain as many roots as possible when there is large foliage growth. Sufficient water must be supplied to the leaves so that leaves don't 'drop off'.

Hosta Pick of the Month

	Formal Name: Formal Name: Hosta 'Regal Splendor'
	Pronounced: N/A
	Picture: http://www.hostas.com/images/hostas/regalspl.jpg
	Incorrect Names: N/A
	Description: (Schmid) Plant is a margined H. 'Krossa Regal'. Margin whitish to yellowish, variable in width. Plant erect, 34 in diameter., 36 in high. Leaf 12 by 7 in., grey-green, whitish margin, cordate, wavy-undulate. Scape 44 in, bare, straight.
	Comments: I find that this cultivar is much bluer than H. 'Krossa Regal' and also holds its blue much longer into the season. Both varieties are very beautiful and stand on their own particularly because of their upright habit.
	Height: 36 inches
	Color of Flowers: Medium size, bell-shaped, lavender.

Next month will be featuring Hosta 'Lemon Lime'.

Ornamental Grass Pick of the Month

Correction: The picture for Carex elata 'Bowles Golden' in last month's newsletter pointed to the wrong image. The image should have been http://www.hostas.com/images/grasses/bowelsgd.jpg

	Formal Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Puenktchen'
	Family: Gramineae
	Common Name: Little Dot Grass
	Picture: http://www.hostas.com/images/grasses/mispnktn.jpg (very immature plant picture, sorry!)
	Name Meaning: N/A

	Comments: This grass if viewed quickly might remind one of Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'. But the much finer foliage is immediately evident, and full grown height is up to two feet shorter than 'Strictus'. Little Dot Grass is classified as an improved selections, most-likely because of the finer foliage with the striking horizontal banding. I have this particular variety available mail-order!
	Native: Miscanthus sinensis cultivar. Miscanthus sinensis was originally cultivated in China and Japan. The origin of this particular variety is not known.
	Zone: 5
	Sun: Full sun to 1/2 shade.
	Size: 5 feet tall, clumping habit.
	Plume: Plumes consists of narrow panicles 4-6 inches long ranging in color from off-white to pink. Bloom time is early June to July.
	Propagation: By division.

Next month will be featuring Briza media.

Wisdom from the Garden

Weeds gives one the motivation to keep close to God's plants throughout the growing season!