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 We continue the series in which we introduce famous European hosta breeders. After Vladimír Mirka from Czech Republic, Jeroen Linneman from Netherlands, Christina Brinkmann from Germany and Rik Desmedt from Belgium, this time visited Ronny Van Keer from Belgian Hoeilaart. The article was already published in the magazine Nederlandse Hosta Vereniging (Dutch Hosta Society) and, after minor modifications, is published here with the kind permission of its author, Jannes Van Rossum.

We were invited to visit Ronny Van Keer, the well-known breeder of Holar hostas. We were first introduced to Ronny Van Keer a long time ago by Danny van Eechaute, who referred to Ronny as one of his favorite hybridizers. However, it was primarily his wonderful hostas that have appeared on the market in recent years that led us to contact him. Many of us have magnificent hostas such as H. ‘Holar Purple Flash’, H. ‘Holar Garnet Crow’, and H. ‘Holar Rising Flame’ in our collections.

An initially planned appointment in April 2024 did not take place because several nights of severe frost had left Ronny’s plants in poor condition. We then decided to wait until late summer, and so, in mid-August, this time accompanied by Harry Smith, we embarked on the long journey to Hoeilaart, Belgium.

Upon arrival, Ronny apologized for the condition of his hostas, as, like many of us, he had significant issues with slugs that year. However, everything we saw and heard afterward created a wonderful and fascinating gathering.

Hoeilaart - the "Glass Village"

Hoeilaart, a village slightly southeast of Brussels, is situated in a forested area where the landscape becomes somewhat hilly. To reach Ronny’s house, we had to take a path with steps. Behind the house, there is a terrace overlooking a gently sloping lawn. The hostas are placed in pots at the front and on both sides of the house, while part of the "Holar" hosta collection is also on the terrace. At the front, some hostas are planted directly in the ground. Many seedlings are stored in trays under and beside the pergola on the side of the house, and under the apple tree at the end of the lawn, the backup collection of all “Holars” is kept.

 With coffee in one hand and some treats in the other, a fascinating conversation quickly unfolds. We are curious not only about the "Holar" hostas but also about the person behind them. Who is he, what does he do, how did his hosta hobby begin, and how has it developed over time?

A family of winemakers

Ronny confided in us that he has spent his entire life in Hoeilaart, where he grew up in a family of grape growers. Until the 1960s and 1970s, Hoeilaart was the center of the grape-growing region, and as one of the most important grape-growing villages in Belgium, it was also known as the "glass village" due to the large number of greenhouses used for cultivating grapes.

Ronny's parents once owned seventeen large greenhouses dedicated to growing grapevines. Today, only one remains, located behind the large old house where Ronny's mother still lives. However, the greenhouse is in very poor condition and is set to be demolished before winter.

When Italy and Spain joined the European Union, the market was flooded with a large quantity of cheap grapes, making it impossible to compete. The oil crisis of the early 1970s was another major blow to Belgian grape growers. Today, only a few vineyards remain, but they do not grow grapes for wine production. Instead, they produce high-quality table grapes, with prices reaching around 20 EUR per kilogram.

The passion for plants and hybridization 

When I asked how his passion for plants and gardening began, Ronny replied that as a child, he was already very engaged in sowing seeds, including those of trees. This interest has always stayed with him, and today he is particularly fascinated by the genera Quercus, Acer, and conifers. However, this passion did not lead him to pursue a career in the field. Instead, he studied electronics and now works in software development.

He still remembers exactly when he bought his first hosta—in 2004. His interest was sparked, and after intensive online communication, he visited Danny Van Eechaute in 2005. He became enthusiastic and, for the first time, saw a streaker! He returned home with a considerable number of plants, and from that moment, his collecting frenzy began. At one point, he had around 500 different hosta varieties, but later he became more selective. Nowadays, he only buys hostas that he intends to use for hybridization, focusing primarily on good traits.

Hybridization

In 2008, Ronny started hybridizing. His main motivation was to enjoy his hobby even during the winter months. However, creating beautiful new hostas is not the only way he expresses his creativity. He also spends much of his winter turning wood into beautiful objects such as bowls and vases. In his basement, he has various tools and a woodturning lathe at his disposal. With great pride, he showed us the results of his craftsmanship—his home is filled with stunning handmade pieces, beautifully displayed everywhere.

The interest in hybridizing was first sparked by his visits to Danny, but later he also drew much inspiration from participating in the Hosta Forum of the Netherlands. This forum was established after Jeroen Linneman discontinued his Hosta Valley Forum. The connections he made through this forum with other hosta breeders from Belgium, such as Patrick Butaye and Rik Desmedt, have always been very valuable to him. It also led to new contacts in the Netherlands, including Piet de Rooij, and he also briefly mentioned Bate Aukema, knowing that he is a good hosta friend of mine.

To his regret, the forum is no longer active, which he considers a great loss. Personal contacts have become scarce; he occasionally visits Danny and is a member of both the American Hosta Society and the Dutch Hosta Association, primarily for the information. This allows him to stay up to date with the latest developments in the Hosta world.

In the early years, he extensively used plants with strong breeding characteristics. H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’, H. ‘Harry van de Laar’, H. ‘One Man’s Treasure’, H. ‘Sky Dancer’, and H. ‘Riptide’ were among the plants frequently used, not only by him but also by other breeders at the time. Additionally, he incorporated plants with specific traits that contributed to the breeding goals he had in mind. 

His ideal plants are large and robust, with red or purple petioles and leaves that have an attractive shape (long with a wavy edge) and a coloration where the red/purple from the petioles extends well into the leaf. As examples, he mentions H. ‘Armani’ and H. ‘Red Bull’, preferably in XL size. 

To achieve this, he made extensive use of the characteristics of: 

• H. ‘Arch Duke’ (XL size, large leaves with an elegant shape and a white underside),
• H. ‘Mr. Blue’ (for its striking petioles),
• H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’ (which possesses many desirable traits, such as red petioles, nearly black flower scapes, glossy green leaves, and, most importantly, exceptional fertility!), and
• H. ‘Justice’ (primarily to produce large, streaked seedlings).

The plants Ronny has most frequently used for hybridization in recent years are H. ‘Almost Unreal’, H. ‘Bloodline’, H. ‘Point Judith Light’, H. ‘Chris’ A Lalalala Long’, H. ‘German Lime Dragon’, and, of course, his own "Holar" varieties.

His first products in 2008 were still OP (Open Pollination) seedlings, but in the following years, Ronny began intentionally crossing selected plants. Over time, hundreds of seedlings emerged, forcing him to start carefully selecting. He soon experienced the hardest part of hybridization—having to discard many plants and keep only the most exceptional ones. 

It was not until 2013, after working closely with Danny Van Eechaute, that he officially introduced his first hybrids to the world. He chose "Holar" as the prefix, derived from the ancient name of the village Hoeilaart, which means "open place in the forest." 

The "Holar" hostas

In the following overview, we will present all hosta cultivars named "Holars", with a brief description, and we will also include photos some of them.

H. ‘Holar Early Days’
One of the first seedlings (2008) that Ronny created. An open-pollinated seedling of H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’. A medium-sized hosta with yellow leaves on red petioles. What makes it special is that in the spring, the yellow leaves have red veins and a red margin. The flowers are light lilac, and for a good leaf color, a location with a few hours of sunlight is recommended. This beautiful hosta was introduced in 2014.

Hosta Holar Early Days (photo: Danny Van Eechaute )

H. ‘Holar Red Wine’
A seedling from 2009 (H. ‘Harry van de Laar’ x H. ‘Katsuragawa Beni’). Introduced in 2013. In those years, many hybridizers tried to create seedlings with red petioles and to extend the red coloration as far as possible into the leaf. Ronny succeeded well with this medium-sized seedling, in which the characteristics of both parent plants are clearly visible.

Hosta Holar Red Wine (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Crimson Grape’
This beautiful seedling from 2009 (H. ‘One Man’s Treasure’ x H. ‘Harry van de Laar’) combines the best characteristics of both parents. It has glossy, dark green, thick leaves with the red coloration of the petioles extending deep into the leaf. A medium-sized hosta with lilac flowers that thrives best in partial shade or shade. The name was chosen because of the red (crimson) color of a grape variety, which is very fitting for a hosta originating from the former grape-growing region.

Hosta Holar Crimson Grape (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Black Swan’
Another medium-sized seedling from 2009 (H. ‘One Man’s Treasure’ x H. ‘Red Neck Heaven’), introduced in 2013. Glossy green leaves with a wavy leaf margin on dark red petioles.

H. ‘Holar Arches Park’
Ronny also aims to develop seedlings from hostas with large leaves, and in 2010, he selected H. ‘Holar Arches Park’ (H. ‘Arch Duke’ x H. ‘Jurassic Park’). An enormous XL-sized hosta with large, slightly wavy, bright green leaves. A cross between two magnificent giants. The introduction dates back to 2014.

Hosta Holar Arches Park (photo: Gerrie Veenstra)

H. ‘Holar Mystic Purple’
An open-pollinated seedling of H. ‘Purple Haze’ from 2010. The goal was not only to extend the red coloration from the petioles into the leaves but also to develop a purple hue in the leaf veins. The seeds from H. ‘Purple Haze’ proved to be very suitable for this purpose. This medium-sized hosta has gray-green leaves with red-purple veins, which extend to the upper part of the leaf for most of the season. Introduced in 2014, it is considered by Ronny to be more fertile than the mother plant.

Hosta Holar Mystic Purple (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Purple Flash’
A beautiful seedling from 2011 (H. ‘Purple Haze’ x H. ‘Riptide’). A medium-sized hosta with blue-green leaves on purple petioles. It features an intense purple glow in the center of the leaf. It received much admiration upon its introduction in 2013. “A lucky strike,” says Ronny about this plant, as it was the only seed from this cross that successfully germinated!

Hosta Holar Purple Flash (photo: Ronny Van Keer)

H. ‘Holar Red Spear’
A seedling from 2012 (H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’ x H. ‘Red Imp’). Another seedling with red-purple petioles, where the red-purple color extends like a spearhead into the sturdy, glossy green leaves. Introduced in 2015.

H. ‘Holar Sunset Python’
Another seedling from 2012 (H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’). A medium-sized hosta with red petioles and intensely yellow leaves with a wavy margin. The name reflects elements from both parent plants. Introduced in 2017.

Hosta Holar Sunset Python (photo: Rik Desmedt)

H. ‘Holar Sunset Cobra’
A seedling from 2012, originating from the same seed bed as H. ‘Sunset Python’ (H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’). This plant is proof that seedlings from the same seed bed can be very different. A medium-sized hosta with green leaves and a wavy leaf margin on red petioles. The red coloration from the petioles extends deep into the leaf and along the veins. This hosta was also introduced in 2017.

Hosta Holar Sunset Cobra (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Snake Valley’
A seedling from 2012 (H. ‘Valley’s Top’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’) with a leaf color that differs from other “Holars.” Green leaves with a yellow or cream-colored margin that quickly turns white early in the season. A hosta with red petioles and thicker leaves than average. The name reflects elements from both parent plants. Introduced in 2017.

Hosta Holar Snake Valley (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Wild Side’
A seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Neptune’ x H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’). A medium-sized hosta with a striking, strongly wavy leaf margin. Introduced in 2015.

H. ‘Holar Rising Flame’
A seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’ x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). The stunning result of a cross between two equally beautiful parent plants. This hosta brings together many colors in a perfect way: pale gray-green leaves that later turn yellow, on purple-red petioles, with the purple-red coloration extending deep into the leaf. A medium-sized hosta in which the characteristics of both parents are clearly visible. Introduced in 2015.

H. ‘Holar Garnet Crow’
This beautiful seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’) features yellow-green leaves with a wavy margin on bright red petioles. The yellow foliage is noticeably firmer than that of the mother plant. Introduced in 2016.

Hosta Holar Garnet Grow (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Purple Glacier’
A seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Miss Linda Smith’ x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). A medium-sized hosta with elongated, frosted blue leaves on purple petioles. The name Purple Glacier is aptly chosen. Introduced in 2018.

H. ‘Holar Ice Empress’
A seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Empress Wu’ x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). The result of this cross is a large hosta that resembles a very blue ‘Empress Wu’. Frosted blue leaves on purple petioles. Introduced in 2015.

Hosta Holar Ice Empress (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Mystic Girl’
A seedling from 2014, where Ronny used one of his own crosses as the mother plant (H. ‘Holar Mystic Purple’ x H. ‘China Girl’). The result is a medium-sized hosta with thick, dark green leaves on purple-red petioles, with a purple glow extending deep into the leaves. A perfect combination of green and purple. Introduced in 2018.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Storm’
A seedling from 2014, resulting from the cross ([H. ‘Justice’ x H. ‘Arch Duke’] x O.P.). The result is a medium-sized hosta with green-yellow streaked, pointed leaves with a wavy margin. Ronny has chosen the prefix "Rainbow" for his streaked cultivars. Introduced in 2019.

H. ‘Holar Walk On’
This is a TC sport (a sport that emerged during tissue culture) of H. ‘Holar Wild Side’). A medium-sized hosta with firmly twisted and slightly folded leaves with a wavy margin. It is likely tetraploid. The names of both hostas together form the title of the song "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed! Introduced in 2024.

H. ‘Holar Fiery Sky’
A seedling from 2013 ([H. ‘Justice’ x OP] x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). It has elongated blue-gray leaves with a yellow margin that later turns white. The stable form of H. ‘Holar Fire Rainbow’. Introduced in 2020.

H. ‘Holar Cloudy Sky’
From the same seed bed as H. ‘Holar Fiery Sky’. This is the reverse sport of H. ‘Holar Fiery Sky’, featuring cream-white leaves with a blue-green margin.

H. ‘Holar Got Wings’
A seedling from 2014 (H. ‘Red Bull’ x O.P.), introduced in 2021. A medium-sized hosta with thick, glossy green leaves. The name of this hosta comes from the advertisement slogan "Red Bull gives you wings!"

H. ‘Holar Sing My Life’
A more recent seedling - from 2019 (H. ‘Kill Me Softly’ x O.P.). It has elongated, soft green leaves with a strongly wavy margin and prominent leaf veins. The red-speckled petioles extend some of their coloration into the leaf. Beautiful growth habit. Introduced in 2022.

H. ‘Holar Storm Clearing’
A seedling from 2014, originating from the same seed bed as H. ‘Holar Rainbow Storm’ ([H. ‘Justice’ x H. ‘Arch Duke’] x O.P.). This medium-sized variant features blue leaves with a cream-yellow margin and is a variation of H. ‘Holar Rainbow Storm’. Introduced in 2024.

H. ‘Holar Curved Waterfall’
A seedling from 2018, resulting from the cross (H. ‘China Girl’ x H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’). This cultivar features long, softly glossy yellow leaves on dark cherry-red petioles. Introduced in 2022.

H. ‘Holar Red Sea Shell’
A beautiful seedling from 2012 (H. ‘Marilyn Monroe’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’). The characteristics of both parent plants are clearly visible. From H. ‘Marilyn Monroe’, this cultivar has almost round green leaves with a prominent wavy margin and a white frosted underside. From H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’, it inherits red petioles, with the red coloration extending into the leaf veins. Introduced in 2014.

Hosta Holar Red Sea Shell (photo: Ronny Van Keer)

H. ‘Holar Swan King’
In 2014, Ronny made another cross using one of his own “Holars” (H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’ x H. ‘Holar Black Swan’). A medium-sized hosta, which Ronny considers to be an improved version of H. ‘Holar Black Swan’. The name once again incorporates elements from both parent plants.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Elegance’
A medium-sized seedling from 2018, resulting from the cross (H. ‘Holar Rainbow Colors’ x H. ‘Tequila Sunrise’).

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Empress’
Originating from the same seed bed (H. ‘Empress Wu’ x H. ‘Mr. Blue’) as H. ‘Holar Ice Empress’. A large (L-XL) hosta that can be described as a streaked version of H. ‘Holar Ice Empress’.

H. ‘Holar Violet Iceberg’
A seedling from 2018, a cross between two “Holars” (H. ‘Holar Samba For You’ x H. ‘Holar Ice Empress’). No further information is available, except that it is a large hosta with gray-blue leaves on purple petioles. Introduced in 2022.

H. ‘Holar Lemon Submarine’
A seedling from 2017 (H. ‘Holar Mystic Purple’ x O.P.). A small to medium-sized hosta with yellow leaves on red petioles.

H. ‘Holar Fire Rainbow’
One of Ronny’s streaked seedlings ([H. ‘Justice’ x O.P.] x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). A green-yellow streaked hosta with red petioles, though unfortunately not very stable. A seedling from 2013, introduced in 2016.

H. ‘Holar Samba For You’
A seedling from 2015 (H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’ x H. ‘Mr. Jack’). Green leaves with a wavy margin on red petioles. Recently introduced in 2023.

H. ‘Holar Deepest Purple’
A recent seedling from 2022 (H. ‘Red Bull’ x H. ‘Jack Berry’). Dark purple petioles, with leaves that display an intense purple glow in spring.

H. ‘Holar Banana Moon’
A seedling from the year 2008 (H. ‘Harry van de Laar’ x O.P.). A medium-sized hosta with red petioles and soft yellow leaves. It could best be described as a “yellow Harry van de Laar.” Introduced in 2014.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Colors’
The first streaked seedling named by Ronny (2010). A cross between H. ‘Justice’ and H. ‘Arch Duke’. It has large green-yellow streaked leaves, though unfortunately not very stable. Highly fertile and often used as a breeding plant. Introduced in 2014.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Springs’
An open-pollinated seedling of H. ‘Justice’ from 2010, featuring large green-yellow streaked leaves with a beautifully wavy margin. Unfortunately, it is not very stable. Introduced in 2015.

Hosta Holar Rainbow Spring (photo: Rik Desmedt)

H. ‘Holar Rainbow River’
A seedling from 2012 ([H. ‘Justice’ x O.P.] x H. ‘Green Dragonet’). A large (XL) green-yellow streaked hosta. Introduced in 2015.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Red’
A seedling from 2013 (H. ‘Smokey’ x H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’). A beautiful streaked hosta with red petioles, where the red coloration extends into the leaf. Introduced in 2017.

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Rider’
A seedling from 2014 (H. ‘Holar Rainbow Colors’ x H. ‘Mr. Blue’). A very beautiful streaked hosta, enhanced by its purple petioles inherited from H. ‘Mr. Blue’. Introduced in 2015.

H. ‘Holar Microstrip’
A seedling from 2014 (H. ‘Riptide’ x H. ‘Smokey’). What makes this seedling special is its leaf pattern, similar to that of H. ‘Striptease’. Due to the “Striptease-like” line, Ronny, as an electronics specialist, found the name Microstrip fitting, as it refers to a term used in high-frequency microwaves.

H. ‘Rainbow Magic’
A seedling from 2018 (H. ‘Maya Kingsnake’ x H. ‘J1475 Greased Pole’). A beautiful, fairly stable, lightly streaked hosta with red petioles. The streaked appearance of the leaves is most visible in spring. However, by June/July, the “magic” fades.

H. ‘Holar Great Wall’

Hosta Holar Great Wall (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar High Waves’

Hosta Holar High Waves (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Dance’
H. ‘Holar Flying Saucer’
H. ‘Holar Smokey Water’

Hosta Holar Smokey Watter (photo: Dana Zúbriková)

H. ‘Holar Glacier Walk’
H. ‘Holar Dragon Rider’
H. ‘Holar White Satin’
H. ‘Holar Purple Highness’

Hosta Holar Purple Highness (photo: Rik Desmedt)

H. ‘Holar Rainbow Spearhead’
H. ‘Holar Rainbow Glow’
H. ‘Holar Curly Hair’
H. ‘Holar Red Halo’
H. ‘Holar Colorful Crow’
H. ‘Holar 1835 A’

The above overview of all named "Holars" so far demonstrates Ronny’s remarkable productivity in recent years. He started sowing in 2007, and his first named seedling (H. ‘Holar Early Days’) dates back to 2008. This is evident from Ronny’s systematic record-keeping. The seedling was assigned the number 0801 (seed from 2007, with the first recorded seedling from 2008).

It is extremely gratifying that a large portion of Ronny’s introductions, both now and in the short future, will be available to all hosta enthusiasts through tissue culture propagation. It is expected that this number will continue to grow in the coming years. In close collaboration with Danny Van Eechaute, Ronny select the more beautiful cultivars for this purpose. We look forward to seeing them soon on the market!

Finally, I asked Ronny to name three of his "Holars" that he personally finds most beautiful. After some thought, he came up with the following list:
H. ‘Holar Purple Flash’, H. ‘Holar Garnet Crow’, and H. ‘Holar Violet Icebreaker’.

It is already late in the afternoon when we begin our return journey, carrying few hostas - H. ‘Holar Rainbow Magic’ and H. ‘Holar Red Sea Shell’ in a small bag. We would like to sincerely thank Ronny for his warm hospitality and outstanding cooperation in bringing this story together. Further thanks for helpt to Marco Fransen and to Danny Van Eechaute by preparing of this article.

 Jannes Van Rossum

© This text and photos are protected by intellectual property rights under the Law no. 618/2003 Coll. (the Copyright Act).  

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