Probably the most notable trend in recent years is to obtain plants with "red petioles”. The breeding is focused on plants which have red petioles and parts of the leaf. This trend is very significant, and many new cultivars are being promoted because of this colour effect. Already, we have very nice cultivars on offer, such as H. From recently, H. Fire Island or H. Purple Heart. In 2018, we added more. Let's mention H. Cherry Flip, H. Proud Sentry, or H. Candy Kisses. The red colour of cultivar H. Sugar Plum extends to the leaf. We also must mention a new US cultivar, which probably has the most red colour on the leaf - H. First Blush. It was hybridized by B. Solberg and we bring it to you in several series in 2018. The trend of red petioles is often discussed and not always accepted with enthusiasm. Admittedly, it is an exotic element that makes the plant interesting. It definitely works, red colour looks very elegant, and looks nice in combination with yellow (H. Flemish Design, H. Fruit Punch, H. Designer Genes). On the other hand, the red colour of the leaf petioles does not "save" the situation when the leaf shape is common, the colour of the leaf is green or blue-green, and when the cultivar is not very different from others (H. High Tide, H. Little Red Rooster, H. Pretty Flamingo). It is obvious that the popular trend of red petioles will continue for a while, and only the future will show where breeders will go in the pursuit of red hostas.

Another trend is miniature hostas. We bring to your attention newly added representatives of the "Mouse" series. For the year 2018, it is a small hosta with dark green, wavy leaves
and the yellow edges – H. School Mouse from Walters Gardens Inc. It has a promise of better growth and a nice compact bunch.

We must mention another novelty - finally, a blue fragrant hosta! It is the cultivar H. Blue Perfection. It will be available in larger quantities in the second half of the 2018 season. It has the genes of H. plantaginea, grows well and creates a beautiful bunch. 

We wish to also draw your attentiot to the two cultivars of "home provenance". Hosta Buffalo Amber Waves is a sport of H. Silver Threads and Golden Needles. We found it in our production area, verified and registered it, and in 2018 we offer it for the first time to our customers. It grows very well in our conditions and produces a very dense bunch of tiny green-yellow, and in the second half of the season, a bunch of yellow leaves. It is suitable on the edge of a garden as a groundcover or in a flower pot on your window or a balcony. Another cultivar that does not come from Slovakia, but from the Czech Republic
and the breeder is well-known Czech hybridizer V. Mirka. Cultivar H. Bohemia Fatty Manzo is the first of the "Bohemia" series, which we offer for sale. This cultivar is especially beautiful in the spring, when its sharp combination of creamy white and green colour makes it attractive. It is fast growing and suitable for every use.

There are evident efforts to improve older hosta cultivars through further breeding. To make the blue even bluer, yellow leaves to remain yellow all season, the big ones be even bigger, and the edges be still more wavy, and the colour contrast of the leaves be more highlighted. 
But this seemingly simple aim is harder to reach than it seems at first glance. So rarely do plants which really outshine the older, well-proven cultivars come to the market. In our news for the year 2018, one such case is the very fragrant H. Blue Perfection, which surpasses older cultivars. Sapphire Pillows or H. Hovercraft offer a pale blue colour and only time will show if these cultivars are better than similar older cultivars. The yellow edge on the extremely glossy leaf of Tea at Betty's hosta is also a clear improvement on older, shiny cultivars like H. Rippled Honey (from which it was derived), or the similar H. Invincible. It seems that Hosta Dinner Mint could be a significant contribution to the portfolio of small hostas because its colour combination is unique in this category.

Just choose …

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