Captain Kirk, Janet, and June

I've been hanging out with Captain Kirk, Janet, and June alot. They are sorta neighbors, sorta friends, but mainly they are hostas. They are some of the new hostas I planted this spring when putting in a new hosta bed.

They were just little things, small divisions, not even out on their own when they were shipped off to Nebraska to find a new home here. They seem to be adjusting well despite being uprooted from their old residence.

They are all a little bit different. It's what attracted me to them. Their blooms are insignificant being either white or lavender, but it's their leaves that make me giddy with excitement.

One day, they will grow big and bushy and make a splash in the border just by being green. They will be a bit of a tropical oasis in my backyard. Something only I will see. They are tucked in an area between the house and garage and unless someone walks all the way around the house, they won't see them.

But I know they are there. They are just there for me. It's that selfish part of me that wants my own retreat. My own vacation spot in my own yard. I liken it to people who cut flowers to bring them inside. Nobody sees or smells their blossoms but the person who placed them in their vase. It's like a secret. A secret beauty that we alone are privy too.

It will be awhile before they are mature though. They are facing adverse conditions with the heat and drought. The shade helps. The watering helps. The mulch is a life saver. I'm doing all I can to encourage them to grow and be happy and in return make me happy.

This morning I wasn't so happy. As I waited and waited for the rain predicted on the weather channel this morning, it never arrived. It was all going South, way South of me. I could only shake my mental fist in anger at the tv and threaten to never "Wake up with Al" again. Take that Al Roker.

So I drug the hose around and gave them the life saving moisture that they crave. Their tired little stems looking more life-like the more I watered them. I was mesmerized how the water beaded up on the textured leaves and glistened like little diamonds on their green pillow leaves.

We are close, my hostas and me. I know all their names by heart. Some are growing by leaps and bounds, and others are taking their time. Content in being the last to mature. Hostas come in all different shapes and sizes and all of the ones I planted were to be of close to similar size. Medium to large. Captain Kirk is being difficult though. The Captain appears to be a slow grower and I am hoping in time he catches up and dazzles me. So far, it's kinda iffy.

Janet has grown twice the size she was at planting. Her leaves though mainly green are starting to turn and show some promise of interest. She may be more golden by the end of the growing season. It's okay if she wants to, in fact I encourage her individuality...

 

June is a show off. June is getting so big...so bold...so colorful. She is going to be showstopper. She is going to be a glory hog, I can just feel it in my gardening bones.

There are two of the hostas that are similar, both sorta like cousins in the hosta world. There is always improvements and new introductions with all plants, and I already had "Guacamole" when I ordered "Stained Glass" as well...

 

 

I have tried to assemble a group of all stars. All star hostas, that will shine and stand out on their own. Each chosen for it's size, coloration and leaf form. "Jimmycrackcorn" was a must have. A bright goldish green that eventually with age will be sporting rippled edge leaves called "pie crust". I have developed a lust for pie crust. Evidently something else has too as Jimmy has been nibbled on by some perpetrator.

I don't take lightly to nibblers. I will take no prisoners, heads will roll, bug guts will be shed. Poor Jimmy, he will come out of it though. This just isn't going to be his year to shine.

"Regal Splendor" is going to be a splendor. It's leaves edged in a creamy loveliness. With my favorite hosta Krossa Regal in it's lineage, it can't lose.

I look at all of my new hosta acquisitions with the same critical eye. They need to grow, they need to thrive, they need to find their own way in the garden. I expect them all to succeed with a little coaxing and support from myself. So that one day they can grow up and become what they were meant to be... beautiful.

My eye can't help but wander over to "Striptease" and I find myself oooohing, "oh you are looking mahvelous dahling".

Yeah, it's pretty pathetic to be so gaga over hostas, but I can't seem to help it. If I could, I would plant a 100 more. For now I will just have to be content with the dozen or so I put in this spring. Til next year when I can find some place new to tuck in a few more, for my tropical oasis.