Good News--Rob Canning is Back!

11 years ago

Rob is back, after being out for a couple of seasons with some health issues. He's got plants on the Hosta Library auction site, and is responding to emails. For those of you who don't know Rob, do a search on his name for old threads on this forum, he was very highly regarded and a really nice guy. He bought all the Lakeside hostas from Mary Chastain, and has continued breeding her lines. Some of his recent introductions include Lakeside Paisley Print and Lakeside Footprint.

Perhaps almost as exciting is the fact that he has a Stag's Leap on the auction site! This is a stunningly beautiful hosta that appears to be of Montana heritage. Check out the photo of the leaf on the Hosta Library website, it's amazing. Only 100 of these gorgeous plants were produced, so it's not common, and as it's also somewhat slow to increase, it's probably never going to become common. I have had mine for 3 years now, and every time I wander into that section of my garden, I have to stop and admire the plant--it passes the 50 foot rule easily.

There are also some of the less common Lakesides listed, and hopefully there will be more posted this year. I'm so tickled about Rob's return that, although I thought I had finished adding garden space this year, I'm going to dig out another new area in what was formerly an overgrown pasture/woodland.

WELCOME BACK, ROB!

Featured Answer

dhaven
Original Author

11 years ago

bkay--I apologize for the misunderstanding, Mary did indeed breed Paisley Print, but I believe it was Rob who introduced it. Mary Chastain will be remembered as one of the great hybridizers, and she deserves all the respect and accolades given her. I have no doubt that the Lakeside plants will be in gardens as long as there are gardens, and Lakeside Paisley Print is one of the best.

One of the intriguing things about the Lakeside hostas is that before Mary retired, she allowed a number of other hybridizers to buy mature clumps of plants she had bred, but not yet introduced. So the Lakeside genetic material is in a number of different hands, and it will be interesting in years to come to see if anyone introduces plants resulting from crossing these hostas.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

bkay2000
11 years ago
DH, you are mistaken. Mary Chastain bred Lakeside Paisley Print. She said it took years to get what she wanted.
bk
mbug_gw
11 years ago
I purchased a number of hosta last year from Rob at Lakeside Hosta including Stag's Leap and a number of Lakesides. Terrific plants, generous divisions, good size, and great service. I will be getting more!
Related Professionals
Ocala Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cleveland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bennington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Los Angeles Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Tacoma Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Hopkinsville Landscape Contractors · Lafayette Landscape Contractors · Clarksburg Landscape Contractors · Syracuse Landscape Contractors · Lima Landscape Contractors · Superior Landscape Contractors · Tallahassee Home Additions · Hagerstown Home Additions · Laredo Home Additions · Cowansville Home Additions
Babka NorCal 9b
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Bkay is correct. Rob Canning did not introduce Lakeside Paisley Print, according to the AHS Registry: I believe that the ONIR stands for, Originator, Nominant (namer), Introducer, and Registrant.

'Lakeside Paisley Print' M. Chastain (ONIR) 2006Plant: 30 in. (76 cm) diameter, 10 in. (25 cm) high; mound-like; fast.Leaf: 7 in. (17 cm) long, 6 in. (15 cm) wide; 10 pairs of veins; green cream markings shoot out from petiole; green margin; slightly rippled; slightly shiny on top; dull underneath; moderately cupped, moderately wavy; broadly ovate; rounded base;Scape: 21 to 24 in. (53 cm) long; cream.Flower: 2 in. (5.58 cm) long; darker striping; tubular; Ooltewah, TN - June 1 to July 15; *codes 4--5;Seed: sets pod; pale green seed pod;Clump History: 1st generation division of the original seedling; 2 yrs old; Ooltewah, TN;Notable Characteristics: center markings shoot out from petiole[seedling × seedling]
dhaven
Original Author
11 years ago
My mistake, I was not aware that Mary ever offered it for sale, which is what I meant by introduced.
bkay2000
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Rob sent Lakeside Paisley Print to be tc'd as he did Lakeside footprint. As I understand it, he "bought" the name and the stock from Mary Chastain in late 2008. Most of what he has was developed my Mary. If he started hybridizing in 2009, he hasn't had the time or experience to develop great new hosta. According to Mary, it takes 10 to 12 years to get a hosta worth introducing.

As far as I know, Rob is a nice guy who hit some rough spots after acquiring Lakeside Hosta. However, to credit him with Mary's hybridizing triumphs is demeaning to Mary's hard work and dedication. It also credits him with something he didn't do.

bk

Link to Mary Chastain interview

a link to Rob describing his "introduction" of LS Paisley Print and LS Footprint
Babka NorCal 9b
11 years ago
Rob was mistaken in that post when he said L. Paisley Print was the first Lakeside to be patented. No Lakeside hostas are on the list.

-Babka
HU-504742557
5 years ago
Please provide the email address for Rob Canning. I purchased several hosta from Mary Chaistain during 2005 and 2006. I would like to know which ones he may still have available to purchase. Charlotte Swafford
dhaven
Original Author
5 years ago
Rob is on Facebook, and is active in the hosta sellers area
mikgag Z5b NS Canada
5 years ago
I've had Stags Leap for about 5-6 years now...It's 24"x48" at least
djacob Z6a SE WI
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Bk, the link to Rob results in error. How do I find a site to look at and order from? I am not on FB. The link to Mary Chaistain works fine. Thanks!

debra
bkay2000
5 years ago
It was a viable link 5 years ago. I guess it has been deleted in the meanwhile.

I've never ordered from Rob, and am not on Facebook either, so I'm no help.

bk