CAROLYN'S SHADE GARDENS

Clockwise from upper left: School Mouse, Blue Mouse Ears (displaying the adorable flowers typical of all mouse ears hostas), Appletini, Munchkin Fire, Sun Mouse (price reduced), and Liberty (with my husband Michael for proportion)

The hostas available at Carolyn’s Shade Gardens for spring 2024 are described below with photos.  We are very excited about the broad selection of cultivars we are offering this year!  This on line catalogue will be updated regularly to indicate when plants sell out or are in short supply.  In most cases, the mini/little hostas are in 3-4″ pots, and the bigger hostas are in 6-8″ pots. Please read the pickup and order information carefully.  Orders are due by Sunday, May 12.

Pick Up Details:  All orders must be picked up on Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, or Friday, May 24.  Times will be assigned alphabetically by us after the May 12 order deadline, but you can choose which day is convenient.  Unfortunately, specific time requests cannot be accommodated as we do not have the capacity to schedule each customer individually. If you can’t make it on any of these days, you are welcome to send a relative or friend to get the plants for you at your assigned time, but alternate dates and times will not be available. We really appreciate your flexibility, which will allow us to eliminate the hundreds of emails and hours it takes to schedule individual appointments.  When you pick up your plants you will be able to bring friends and tour the garden to see our glorious hosta display.

How to Order (sorry no mail order): Minimum order $81.  Hosta supply is limited so please don’t order without double checking that the variety you want is not marked sold out.  Please send an email to carolyn@carolynsshadegardens.com (or reply to the notification email) with the plant names, quantities, your name, cell number, and preferred pickup day: Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, or Friday, May 24 (you will always get your first choice).  We will send you an acknowledgment of your order, usually within 24 hours.  Please contact us immediately if you don’t get an acknowledgment.  Payment is by cash or check at pickup.  Thank you in advance for making this system work.

Hosta in Containers:  If deer are an issue in your area, hostas, especially miniature hostas, are perfect for you as they thrive in containers of all sizes and can be left out all winter on your porch or deck.  There are 17 miniature hostas in the strawberry pot above, which stays in place all year round without damage from freezing.

What does hosta “sport” mean?  A sport is a mutation from an existing hosta usually producing a plant with a different leaf color or form, e.g., the 2024 Hosta of the Year ‘Mini Skirt’ is a sport of ‘Mighty Mouse’.

What does Hosta of the Year mean? Only 29 hostas, out of the over 7,000 registered hosta cultivars and as many or more unregistered cultivars, have received this award from the American Hosta Growers Association, making them exceptionally superior plants.  You can’t go wrong picking one of these winners for your garden.  Click here to see all 29 Hostas of the Year.

Photos appear above the descriptions.

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MOUSE EARS HOSTAS

I am a big fan of mouse ears hostas.  They are so wonderful—from their round, rubbery, slug-resistant leaves to their lovely, proportionate, bell-shaped flowers (unlike most other hostas, I would grow them for their flowers alone) to their adorable habit—and they make a fun collection.

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‘Blue Mouse Ears’: 2008 Hosta of the Year; 8” tall by 19” wide; very blue, round, and thick leaves; short, dense clusters of striking lavender flowers in July; tight and elegant symmetrical habit; rubbery leaves make all mouse ears hostas slug resistant; the original mouse ear and still one of the best; shown in top photo with dwarf Solomon’s seal, an excellent companion for little hostas, available in this catalogue;  $15

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‘Green Thumb’:  newer introduction; 2″ tall by 10″ wide; no mouse in its name but definitely a mouse ears hosta; a more vigorous successor to ‘Green Mouse Ears’ with thick, very round, dark green leaves; forms a dense, tight clump; it’s adorable!   $22   5 left

.‘Mini Skirt’:  2024 Hosta of the Year; 5″ tall by 13″ wide; leaves 2″ long by 1 1/2″ wide; my favorite mouse ears hosta and now recognized as superior by its much-deserved Hosta of the Year Award; forms a miniature mound of very wavy, thick, blue-green leaves with wide, heavily ruffled creamy yellow margins; lovely compact, pale lavender flowers with purple stripes in early summer; a sport of ‘Mighty Mouse’ and a vigorous addition to the mouse ears clan;  $22

.‘Mouse on the Moon’: newer introduction, rare; 6″ tall by 14″ wide; thick, blue-green, undulating leaves with wide creamy margins; new to the mouse ears clan, a vigorous and fast-growing “mouse” but variegated; forms a tight clump; cute, lavender, bell-shaped flowers;   $25   4 left

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‘School Mouse’: 8″ tall by 12″ wide; forms an attractive mound of thick and slug-resistant, blue-green leaves with very wavy and seer suckered yellow edges; perfectly proportional lavender flowers in early summer; a sport of ‘Church Mouse’;  $18

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‘Sun Mouse ‘: 6″ tall by 18″ wide; leaves are 3″ long by 2″ wide, the best yellow mouse ear; very similar to ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ but with glowing, round yellow leaves that hold their color well into summer; proportional lavender flowers in midsummer;   $18 price reduced to $15

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OTHER MINIATURE AND LITTLE HOSTAS

What is a miniature hosta?  The American Hosta Society defines miniature hostas by their leaf size.  The leaf blade area, length x width, can be no greater than 6 square inches.  Clump spread and height are irrelevant.  Little hostas have leaves bigger than the AHS definition but are still small enough to place at the front of the border or in a container.

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‘Appletini’: 6” tall by 14” wide; leaves are 3 ½” long by 2 ¼” wide, striking very glossy gold and pointed; the brightest little hosta in my garden; short, pale purple flowers in August; excellent in containers for an eye-catching accent; a personal favorite;   $18

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‘Baby Booties’:  5″ tall by 12″ wide, leaves 2″ wide by 2″ long; compact mound of oval, bright green leaves with a wide creamy margin; pale purple flowers in midsummer; very cute mini;  $15   2 left

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‘Cheatin Heart’:  6″ tall by 12″ wide, leaves 4″ wide by 3″ long; wavy, heart-shaped, bright golden-yellow leaves with red-speckled stems form a small tight mound; one of the smallest gold-leafed hostas; pinkish flowers in midsummer; perfect for borders, small spaces, or rock gardens;   $15   5 left

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‘Coconut Custard: first time in our catalogue; 6″ tall by 14″ wide; yellow heart-shaped leaves with a thick waxy coating making them look frosted; bright red leaf stems are a lovely contrast to the gold leaves; frosty blonde stems hold orchid-colored flowers in midsummer; great for a sunnier spot; honored as on of the “Top 12 Tiny Hostas” by Fine Gardening magazine, click here to read;   $22   5 left

.‘Gemstone’: 5″ tall and 12″ wide; leaves are 4″ long by 3″ wide, very blue, heart-shaped and twisted, tapering to a point; the bluest of the blue; a cross between super tiny H. venusta and ‘Dorset Blue’; forms a tight and elegant mound;   $15   5 left

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‘Lemon Zinger’: newer introduction; 7″ tall by 16″ wide; leaves are 4″ long by 1″ wide, rippled gold with a thin dark blue-green margin; sport of ‘Dragon Tails’ with the same charming habit and unique leaves but a contrasting green edge; lavender flowers in summer;   $22   5 left

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‘Munchkin Fire’: 4″ tall by 9″ wide; forms a diminutive fountain of very narrow brilliant gold leaves tapering to a sharp point; holds its bright yellow color all season long; lavender flowers in midsummer; another customer favorite;   $18

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‘One-trip Salad Bar’: new introduction; 7″ tall by 14″ wide; very unusual, round and shiny light green leaves are puckered and cupped like ‘Lettuce Wrap’ but are edged in bright yellow; very desirable deep red leaf stems extend the red color into the leaf; flower stalks display dark purple blooms in late summer; sun tolerant and vigorous;   $29   2 left

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‘Wiggles and Squiggles’: newer introduction; 8″ tall by 10″ wide; leaves are 6″ long by 2″ wide, dart-like, bright yellow leaves with very wavy margins like ‘Dragon Tails’ but bigger; low, wide habit; best with morning sun; purple striped flowers in late summer;   $22   1 left

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Polygonatum humile, Dwarf Solomon’s Seal: 6″ tall spreading plant; flowers with little white bells along arching green-leafed stalks; excellent companion for smaller hostas in containers or in the ground (surrounds ‘Praying Hands’ in photo); very rare;  $20   5 left

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BIGGER HOSTAS

small, medium, large, and giant

This is the best selection of “bigger” hostas we have ever had with five new introductions and four other hostas we are offering for the first time.  Of the remaining varieties, only one appeared in our 2023 catalogue.

.‘Ben Vernooji’: first time in our catalogue, medium; 15″ tall by 30″ wide; incredibly thick, heart-shaped blue leaves with very wide yellow edges, feathering to the center; large lavender flowers in summer; looks great all season long, great slug resistance;   $32

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‘Blue Angel’: giant, 36″ tall by 48″ wide; huge, slug-resistant blue leaves—it towers over the other large hostas in the first photo and provides a great hideout in the second; desirable white flowers in midsummer; upright, shrub-like stature—the  very best large blue hosta and my favorite;   $22   4 left

.‘High Society’: first time in our catalogue, small, 8″ tall by 15″ wide; a stunning sport of award-winning ‘June’ with wider blue margins and a bright yellow center softening to parchment during the summer; pale lavender flowers on short spikes in midsummer; great small hosta for containers or the front of the border;   $22  5 left

.Liberty: 2012 Hosta of the Year, giant, 35″ tall by 40″ wide; narrow blue-green center with striking, wide, bright yellow margins; pale lavender flowers in summer; a sport of ever popular ‘Sagae’ with the same excellent vase-shaped habit; I took this photo so this is what it really looks like—this specimen was growing in a lot of sun!   $32

.‘Praying Hands’: 2011 Hosta of the Year; medium, 14-18″ tall by 12-16″ wide; completely unique, narrow, green, twisted and tightly folded, vertical leaves like a pitcher plant—every garden should have this one-of-a-kind hosta; excellent container specimen; lavender flowers in late summer;   $25   1 left

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‘Rainforest Sunrise’: 2013 Hosta of the Year, small, 8″ tall by 16″ wide; remarkable coloring and habit make this hosta really stand out; cupped and heavily puckered, bright gold leaves with dark green margins; beautiful light lavender blooms—another hosta I would grow for the flowers; great in larger containers or for the front of the border; sport of ‘Maui Buttercups’;   $20

.‘Tiki Bar’: new introduction; 7″ tall by 15″ wide; very shiny, heart-shaped and pointed yellow leaves with wide, multi-color green margins swirling into the center—an absolutely gorgeous hosta; purple flowers in late summer; sport of my favorite, very shiny ‘Appletini’, stands out in the garden;   $29   5 left

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‘Time in a Bottle’: first time in our catalogue, medium, 12″ tall by 35″ wide; narrow, wavy bright gold leaves with heavily rippled margins; in summer, long lasting, deep purple flowers that never open contrast beautifully with the gold foliage—the is a hosta I would grow for its flowers; vigorous grower with very full habit;   $35   1 left

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The hostas below are sold out:

.‘Frosted Mouse Ears’:  7” tall by 18” wide; leaves 2 ½” long by 2 1/4′’ wide; round, frosted, blue-green leaves with yellow margins becoming creamy white later in the season; thick, slug resistant; attractive proportional purple flowers and habit similar to its parent ‘Blue Mouse Ears’;  $20   Sold Out

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‘Mighty Mouse’: 4″ tall by 8″ wide; leaves 3″ long by 3″ wide; almost round blue-green leaves with a yellow margin fading to white in the fall; lovely compact, bell-like flowers; possibly the most adorable mouse ears hosta, definitely the cutest name;  $20  Sold Out

.‘Curly Fries’: 2016 Hosta of the Year; very distinctive 11″ tall by 20″ wide dense clump; leaves are 7″ long by 1 1/2″ wide, very narrow bright gold and heavily rippled; you will always recognize this hosta from a distance without a label!; lavender flowers on purple scapes in summer;   $22   Sold Out

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‘Lemon Lime’: 12″ tall by 36″ wide; leaves 4″ long by 2″ wide; dense mound of narrow wavy gold leaves tolerant of sun and brighter colored with direct sunlight; bright purple flowers in July; outstanding low ground cover hosta, spreading rapidly as illustrated by the photo of my stand;   $15   Sold Out

.‘Little Wonder’:  9″ tall by 28″ wide; leaves 4 3/8″ long by 2 1/4″ wide, bright green center with a 1/4″ wide yellow margin, wavy and smooth-textured; deep purple flowers in July and August; has a great combination of colorful foliage and a small dense mounding habit, grows quickly to form a groundcover;  $15   Sold Out

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‘Lemon Snap’: newer introduction; 10″ tall by 20″ wide; leaves 5″ long by 4″ wide; cupped, vivid yellow leaves held upright by bright beet-red stems with the color extending up the mid-vein; very dark purple stalk with pretty purple striped flowers in mid-summer;  $25   Sold Out

.‘Lettuce Wrap’: new introduction; 7″ tall by 14″ wide; leaves 4″ long by 3″ wide;  shiny, bibb lettuce-like bright yellow leaves on wide red stems that extend the red well up into the leaf; forms a tight flat clump; pretty purple flowers on mahogany stalks in mid-summer; newly introduced and very desirable!   $29   Sold Out

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‘Little Blue’: 6″ high by 14″ wide; heart-shaped leaves with a lovely blue color contrasting well with other hostas; purple bell-shaped flower in midsummer; forms a wide-spreading, neat and tidy mound; great individually or as a groundcover; very rare;  $15   Sold Out

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‘Amazone’: first time in our catalogue, medium; 16″ tall by 26″ wide; bright white leaves with dark green margins flaming towards the center, making a bold contrast; tolerates the sun much better than other white-leafed hostas; pale lavender flowers in mid-summer; spectacular specimen!   $35   Sold Out

.‘Eye Declare’: first time in our catalogue, medium, 12″ tall by 16″‘ wide; this stunning hosta is an incandescent yellow with a thin green margin, the brightest yellow hosta on the market; lavender flowers in summer; one of the most asked-about hostas in our garden and a personal favorite;   $29   Sold Out

.‘Inniswood’: first time in our catalogue, large, 24″ tall by 48″ wide; large, heavily quilted and cupped gold leaves with a bluish green margin and great substance; near white flowers in late spring; considered one of the most spectacular hostas every introduced, quite stunning when mature;  $25   Sold Out

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‘Island Breeze’: 2022 Hosta of the Year, first time in our catalogue, medium, 12″ tall by 18″ wide; bright gold leaves set off by wide dark green margins (bottom photo); showy red leaf stems (top photo); thick and puckered, slug resistant texture; dark lavender flowers on reddish stalks in midsummer;   $29   Sold Out

.‘Lakeside Paisley Print’: 2019 Hosta of the Year, small to medium, 10″ tall by 20″ wide; stunning small hosta with thick-substanced, heart-shaped leaves on cream-colored stems; wide wavy green margins enclose the narrow, creamy white center, which shoots out to form a very unique feathery pattern—one of the prettiest hostas on the market and one of my favorites; light lavender flowers on cream-colored stalks in midsummer; photo by Mary Chastain; the plants available are a little smaller than normal but well worth it;  $32   Sold Out

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‘Little Miss Sunshine’: first time in our catalogue, small, 10″ tall by 20″ wide; golden yellow, wavy leaves on wine-red stems; unlike most hostas that emerge yellow and turn more green over the summer, these leaves intensify to bright gold as the season progresses; vigorous and sun tolerant; lavender bells on wine-red stalk in midsummer; much fuller plant than the photo shows, but I wanted you to see the lovely red stems;   $19  deep 3.5″ pot   Sold Out

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‘Touch of Class’: medium, 14″ tall by 30″ wide; striking color combination with chartreuse yellow centers surrounded by a wide band of intense blue; very thick leaves are slug proof; sport of the ever popular ‘June’ with more intense and dramatic coloring; light lavender flowers in midsummer;  $22   Sold Out

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‘Voices in the Wind’: first time in our catalogue, large, 17″ tall by 36″ wide; unusual blue wedge-shaped leaves with curly leaf tips and variegated, highly ruffled, creamy yellow margins; beautiful and sophisticated variegated hosta; pale lavender flowers in summer;   $39   Sold Out

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Instructions for Ordering are at the beginning of the catalogue.

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Photos of School Mouse, Sun Mouse, Munchkin Fire, Wiggles and Squiggles, Island Breeze, Rainforest Sunrise, Time in a Bottle, and Voices in the Wind, Walters Gardens Inc.