Honest to God Bkay, when I first saw the title of this post I thought it was a ploy. :)

I remember earlier this year where another individual ::cough Mocc cough:: had started their own thread ‘baiting’ me. I walked away from that with White Elephant on my Wishlist, and then shortly after I purchased one from Chris … you enablers. :p

But I see now that you are looking for some sturdier White Centered Hostas to maybe try.

As we all know, I have a special place in my heart for the White Middles. I can offer up my list and which were my poor performers, but others have suggested some fine specimens as well, so I am going more for a ‘throw everything out there’ approach and you can pick and choose what works for you. :)

Currently I’m growing:

American Sweetheart
Andrew
Ann Kulpa
Cascades
Clifford’s Stingray
Forest Firefly
Half and Half
Hearts on Fire
Hudson Bay
Lakeside Paisley Print
Night before Christmas
Pandora’s Box
Rare Breed
Raspberry Sundae
Sharp Dressed Man
White Bikini
White Elephant
Woop Woop

All of these grew exceptionally well this year, EXCEPT the following:

American Sweetheart
Rare Breed
Sharp Dressed Man

American Sweetheart - Mine blew out her middles after a steady batch of rain and high humidity. I was rather shocked when I saw the desiccation since most rave about how sturdy she is for a White Middle. However, this was my first year with her, and she did start 2013 out in Michigan, in her defense. So no chopping block yet.

Here she is post blow out. I know it's only three leaves, but I was still surprised.

Rare Breed - This poor thing. It came up with only three leaves, but they were beautiful. Then a squirel went digging around one day and broke one of the main leaves at the base. Not enough that the entire petiole was severed, but enough that the leaf bent down and there was a cut where it had been broken.

Since the plant didn’t drop the leaf after the injury, I decided best to keep it on and let it hang over the side since it was still contributing to the plant.

That’s when the rains set in. Too much water with all that humidity turned the cut into a wound and rot set in where the petiole had broken. Long story short I managed to stop the rot from going into the crown, but it set the entire plant back for the year IMO.

Again, this one is not on the chopping block yet since I don’t feel it was given a fair chance, but we will see next year what comes of it.

This picture was taken before the squirrel interfered.

Sharp Dressed Man - I have two separate pots of him because I enjoy the variegation so much, but I swear after having the one pot for a year now, I could not tell the difference between it and the one I bought new this year.

Both plants fared well for the most part and didn’t give me any direct problems, but I fear that they may be slower growers overall. This surprises me since I have others with far more white in the leaves that showed a lot more vigor.

Here’s the Boys lounging on the patio table. The plant on the left is a year older than the one on the right. Can you tell ?!?!

But enough of the bad, let’s move on to the good. :)

For those that underachieved, there were those that exceeded my expectations.

Night before Christmas - By and large the Valedictorian for this year’s class.

Cascades - This one has a horrible reputation for being fussy, but it seems to love my TLC and fluffy potting mix. I will be planting it in the ground next year, so that could all change once it leaves my overly daunting care.

Half and Half - This is a STURDY little plant and I have raved many times before about it. The leaves are rather thick compared to some of my others and it pretty much doubled in size this year. I have high hopes it will be a real stunner in the years to come.

Woop Woop - Another solid citizen. The leaves are thick and rubbery and the petioles hold the blades almost vertical, they are so rigid. A very interesting twist on an old theme. He scored a nice spot in the front of Bed #1.

I don’t see it mentioned much on here, but I would put this in the top 5 White Middles for sure . . . oh wait . . . I suppose I just did ?

Andrew - Another one with a bad rap, and I can’t say that I disagree, but the colors lure you in so that you feel you have to at least give it a try once, or twice, or in my case three times.

I bought my first two not knowing they would be 1st year liners. Then I found out about how absolutely slow they are to grow. So I opted for a third when I saw the size on Naylor's auction last year. Figured at least one could put me slightly ahead in the eternal wait for maturity.

But despite the myths, and two years of growing them, they have proven to be rather stubborn plants, but in the good way. :)

They hold their color tremendously throughout the year and despite not putting on hoards of new growth, what they did put out was strong. They showed no signs of stress when the rains came and were some of the last to pull color.

So again, I say go for it if you have the patience. In 35 years you’ll be glad you did . . . kidding. :)

Love that distinct tri-color fold

So there are my best and worst. I have plans to add High Society to my collection in 2014 so that will be yet another White Middle to grace Ludicious Acres.

Might need to rename my plot White Middle Acres if I keep at this rate.

In any event, if a plant stresses you out growing it, then it is not worth growing. So long as we are having fun and enjoying what we plant, that’s what matters.

Your own personal tolerance dictates how long the slackers hand around. :p

All the Best,

Ludi