Here's a pic of mine in its first year and third year, look similar. That leaf tip is still there. Though in 3 years I would think the leaves would be wider. It should really take off size wise.

Paul

Here is my year 3 Wu, Michele..... She's gonna big a really big girl when she grows up. Give this one plenty of room.
{{gwi:1053205}}

DD

My Empress Wu was planted in 2008. The first few years not so much, but now it is starting to get some size.

Here is a link that might be useful: Empress Wu progression photos

Ok great...then this is a wu just in its juvenile stages.

Cat, Your 'Wu' has narrower leaves and shows variegation that the other Wu's shown and my Wu don't have. I have to say I think your Wu is a usurper, a nice looking one, but, I do think it is not a Wu.

Jon

i am not sure i am with johnny on variegation.. might just be a camera trick ...

and all giants look weird for 3 to 5 years... i am not sure i could rule in.. or rule out a given name ...

but of course.. we can have fun.. year to year.. seeing who is right or wrong ...

ken

Ok Jon and Ken I can take more pictures and post them or keep thinking for now that it is a wu and see what happens next year.

michelle

Michelle, I don't see the problem, enjoy the one you have and put a Wu down as a future addition.

Jon

What is usurper mean?? Hosta language?? Darn..... I am just on lunch from work, so will try to remember to take later pictures and try again, but I agree the leaves on my wu are too narrow compared to the others.

Michelle

It's a good word in the case of Empress Wu, that Ken used.
Like the movie MAN IN THE IRON MASK (Leonard DeCaprio) who substituted or doubled as the king. (Actually he was the TWIN of the king, but he wasn't THE king, even though he was the "good guy"....did you see that movie?)

So here is the definition. Gotta just love words. There's one for every occasion. :)

DEFINITIONS OF: usurper. n one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another.

Therefore, Ken says that the hosta you have is USURPING THE THRONE of Empress Wu. Whole lot of drama going on in your garden, Michelle! :)

Damn I wanted a WU!!! So what do you guys think this is then??? I'm going out to take new pictures.

Michelle