Good eye to notice that while you're out and about.

It's pretty! Golden Sunburst? Suddenly I'm hoping one of my FW will sport one of those. .....Does it have the same desiccation challenges that FW has?

Kay, I would say no, mine (either one) didn't suffer from spring desiccation this year at all and I planted one in a good amount of sun. I was actually pleasantly surprised at its performance. The only drawback I've noticed has been smaller leaves and a shorter plant since it was separated from FW two years ago. It will be interesting to see what next spring will bring.

That is good news! Now if only mine will sport - lol.

Did you have less rain this summer? My Frances Williams' get a fair amount of sun but didn't desiccate at all this year until late August early September! They still look much better than last year, which was awful. I'm thinking they're better this year because I was careful to keep water off the leaves during the hours they were in the sun (usually all day til 3 pm). It doesn't rain very much here in the summer and I watered FW from underneath this year.

Kay :)

It has been a terrific summer here in terms of rainfall with the usual July being rather dry here. FW's malady is spring desiccation - if it misses it here then, it usually looks terrific for the remainder of the growing season.

Kay, I think your success with a better looking FW this year has a lot to do with how you cared for it. Watering at the ground level(unless it rains), IMO is best. By the time Aug/Sept roll around, many hostas which go dormant earlier start looking peaked - I've got some still looking unblemished but others are well on their way to dormancy. Some of the fall colours on hostas can be spectacular!

It also sounds like you've found your ideal location for FW! It is a beautiful hosta and I am happy for you!

I hope so! Or maybe it's just luck and all depends on the weather?This article has an explanation: Spring Desiccation Everything came up so early this year the hostas were covered on a number of cold nights - that may have made a difference! None of them have had special treatment before - lol. It's been just the last year and a half that I've been learning about - and loving! - hostas.

Kay