the only surprises in my yard are when I move something and umteen zillion earwigs come out. thats not a nice surprise. As far as hostas, ummm....I have a noid that is still blooming. Its nice to look out the window and still see fresh hosta flowers.

I just got L/s Lagoon as well- loved the pics at hostalibrary.
Hopefully mine will turn out to be a beauty same as yours.
One hosta was fascinating for me through the season- Moonlight. It had such interesting changes of color leaf that one would have no trouble imagining moon light shining on them. I really enjoyed it. Same as yours purchase was quite accidental.

I've posted this photo of H.'Kiwi Full Monty' and H.'Naked Lady' recently yet, new for me this year, I'm pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the new growth I'm getting this late in the season.

Naked Lady

Kiwi Full Monty

Did you buy the full monty off of Barry? The nub Gina bought at the convention last year off of him is actually quite big for being such a small nub and dormant at that.

"Did you buy the full monty off of Barry?"
margo

Nope, got mine from AAHOSTAS. Had 3 divisions that I divided and all 3 are making new growth.

If you agree to disregard the hail damage and weeds, below is a picture of Lakeside Lagoon.

These were all put in last year.

That is a pretty one! I am going to have to look for it for next season.

Thansk for posting and adding to my wish list! LOL!

Alexa

This is a good idea. I guess it's no surprise we're going to love the plants that are so often talked about and have good pictures to get inspired by. I knew I'd love Old Glory based on Alexa's picture from last year. Someone posted a glowing picture of Tequila Sunrise and I had to have it. It's the ones not often spoken of and that I get as an after thought, ones that turn out wonderful that are such a gift. Here are some of them.

From 2006 the winner was Cutting Edge. I added it at the very last minute to a mail order. I don't know if I didn't read the leaf size or what but the size surprised me. So did the color, texture and overall beauty. This picture is from that first year. It is much bigger now and I'm sure I've posted other pictures.

2007 was a big hosta year for me. OK, I went nuts. From the spring orders, Anne Kulpa and Ophir were the surprises. Anne Kulpa was one I was debating back and forth about getting. I ended up ordering Christmas Candy instead (which is nice) but then finding Anne Kulpa at a local nursery. Of the two, if I had to pick, I'd pick her. Ophir is stunning in the brightness and fast growth.

In the middle of the summer I ordered from Hosta Choice for the last time. Sadly, both of the owners died that year. That had a very good sale so I ordered lots. The plants arrived with their tops cut off. I know that practice has been debated here but I didn't mind it really. They arrived in mid July I think and by early August they were putting up new, fresh looking leaves. This was nice to see in the heat of the summer when most others are looking a bit the worse for wear. They all grew but these few, added to the order without a lot of thought, have really thrived.

Arc de Triomphe and Lacy Belle

Bob Deane and Carolina Blue

At the end of August last year there was a 30% off sale by one of the Canadian Mail Order nurseries. I thought, what the heck, I was over the top anyway - I might as well go a little further. Some of those plants which arrived in the middle of Sept. looked pretty ratty. They have all grown and being more or less settled at the start of this year must be an advantage from going through shipping in the spring. Two of these plants are way up on my favourites already.

Carolina Sunshine and Li'l Abner

2008 - One of the winners from this hear is Brave Amhurst. I didn't even know I wanted this one but I sure like it. The steely blue color seems different than any of my other plants with blue (maybe El Nino is similar)

I had placed and order from Naylor Creek in January. In February I went to the NW Plant show in Seattle. Naylor was there and selling plants Was I suppose to not buy more?!! I found five that had not been high priorities though I'd heard of them. Two of those have captured my attention.

One Mans Treasure

...and Sky Dancer

I hope others will show some pictures. I really need to add to my list...right?! McT

Mctavish, a lot of your shots appear to be in pots, do you grow a lot in pots?

Jack of Diamonds

Yes EO, I do grow a lot in pots. I'm TRYING to get them all in the ground for protection in case we have another awful spring like last year. The problem is - I keep buying more. It's a sickness. McT

"Yes EO, I do grow a lot in pots."
McT

I'm finding it a lot easier, what I have in the ground looks awful, we are in a mini-drought and I just can't water all the area we have or at least I'm not. One year we watered so much the water company called to suggest we might have a serious leak?

Your drip irrigation will make things easier, that is the only way Ken can manage his.