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. :)
January 4, 2026 featured hosta:
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Holar Early Days by R. Van Keer (NR)
It's the start of a new year! In these early days of the year, we have great new hopes and resolutions, although things almost undoubtedly will end up different from our expectations, for better or worse... :) H. 'Holar Early Days' is emblematic of such developments, as it varies over the year.
The spade-shaped leaves in spring are lime green to chartreuse, on reddish petioles, and can brighten to yellow if given enough sunlight. In spring, leaf veins and edges blush with red, although, much like H. 'First Blush', the red is not shown all the time, particularly as leaves become greener later in the season. Lavender flowers are produced on red scapes in late summer. It is a seedling of 'Tequila Sunrise', originating around 2014. Roughly H 12" W 24".
A shaded plant in late September
January 11, 2026 featured hosta:
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Mourning Dove by H. Hansen (r 2005)
The beautiful, gray-brown mourning dove
(Zenaida macroura) is so named because of
its distinctive cooing call, variously described
as mournful, wistful, melancholy, doleful, etc. It comes to mind this week, in the middle of winter, as another tragic, senseless killing in Minneapolis leaves us mourning. Mourning doves can remind us of the violence in our society, but, conversely, can also be a symbol of beauty and remembrance. Perhaps H. 'Mourning Dove' in your garden will be a reminder of these latter thoughts.
H. 'Mourning Dove' has distinctive blue-green, pointed leaves with creamy yellow margins. It forms a low mound with medium lavender flowers produced on arching scapes. It is a seedling of 'Ozaki Special' x 'Blue Jay'. H 12" W 31"
see
A shaded plant in September
January 18, 2026 featured hosta:
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Sharp Dressed Man by R. Solberg (r 2005)
....received some nice clothes as Christmas gifts from the family, but despite their best efforts as my personal stylists, the only sharp dressed man at our place remains the one planted in the yard! (remember the saying about silk purses and sow's ears...) But, H. 'Sharp Dressed Man' more than makes up for a gardener's appearance with its striking beauty!
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The very thick leaves of H. 'Sharp Dressed Man' have white centers and bases with dark green margins. Chartreuse streaks separate the green and white colors. Pale lavender flowers are produced in early summer. It is a seedling of 'Francee' with an unknown pollen parent.
H 15" W 36"
see
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/search_item/5082
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Today's featured hosta:
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January 25, 2026 by Walters Gardens, Inc. (r2014)
The massive winter storm stretching from New Mexico to New England the last few days missed most of Iowa, but we did get frigid, below 0 F temperatures and winds up to 60 mph the last few days. The cold plus lack of snow cover is worrisome for plant survival in the garden.... As winter maintains its grip, some gardeners may prefer to think of warm summer conditions on a tropical isle, so H. 'Island Breeze' is the hosta that comes to mind!
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H. 'Island Breeze' has leaves with yellow centers and medium green, flat margins in spring. Over time, the leaf centers become brighter in sunnier conditions or more chartreuse in heavier shade. Petioles are red-speckled, and scapes are reddish-green. Dark lavender flowers are produced in mid-summer. It is a sport of 'Fire Island'.
AHGA 2022 Hosta of the Year. H 12" W 28"
see
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/search_item/2767
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In early September in the shade.
February 1, 2026 featured hosta:
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Sitting Pretty by Paul Aden (r1987)
Bitter cold, both literally and figuratively, has covered much of the country the last few weeks. Hostas generally survive northern winters well, but you may want to cover or mulch H. 'Sitting Pretty' to keep it from being killed by ice and cold.
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H. 'Sitting Pretty' has long, narrow leaves (7" x 2", often nearly horizontal) with creamy yellow centers surrounded by striking dark green borders. Purple flowers are produced in mid-summer and add a nice touch to memorial bouquets and other flower arrangements. It is a seedling of 'Reiko' x 'Amy Aden'. H 4-8" W 8-16"
see
https://www.hostaregistrar.org/search_item/5190
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In early September in the shade.