I am confused by your planting bed. A shade loving, water loving plant is surrounded by a succulent that likes things well drained to the point of dry and sunny. Perhaps it is the environment?

That is a sedum that spreads everywhere and grows under any and all conditions here. That tiny thing gets morning sun. It's growing with the heuchera, check the upper corner of the photo.

Sherry

Sherry, I've had no luck with Dream Queen. My son is gifting me a very large one from his yard. We shall see........

Best thing that I've found to do with declining plants are to dig them up, check their roots and surrounding area for roots, then pot them up and grow them for a year or two in pots to bring them back and then try again. I always have some around that I can put in their place or if push comes to shove I set the pot right where they were growing so I still have the same effect until they are robust again. Can't tell you how many I have saved that way.,

I agree with Gary.

Pot it up. for 6 weeks at least.

The roots of a weak plant have an easier time in potting mix.

If you don't want to overwinter it in a pot you can plant it in August.

I've saved more than a few this way.

And to add to these good suggestions, keep the little thing going in the sunshine where it is until it becomes more vigorous...which it will. It is making a valiant effort to keep going for you, cute little thing! :-)

Only hosta that ever died on me - Dream Queen.

Pot it up, that works miracles. Easier to find the perfect place for it when in a pot. I move mine around often and only plant when they show me they like the spot.

That's a beauty, Jon!

Sherry

It is sad to see how much your DQ has declined. But it was a beauty once. I had two DQ's a few years ago but both of them didn't survive. This was one of them:

They were both in pots. I have since learned that they favour similar conditions to GE. I have several GE in pots. My oldest one is about 10 years old. So what would I do if that were my DQ? If I wanted to put it in the garden, I would look for a place with at least a couple of hours of sun. I would amend the soil by adding humus and something for drainage if it were needed. The area should be one that never dries out. If I didn't have that kind of garden space, then I would pot it up. I agree with the others that that may be the best solution. I think moisture and some sun are the two most important considerations for this hosta.

I purchased a Dream Weaver last year and it currently is in a pot that needs repotting. I am going to tackle that soon and wonder whether it will thank me or hate me!

NHL, My Dream Queen is in the same vicinity as my two Great Expectations. Both the GEs are more shaded. Both the GEs are sub-par this Spring, but the problem is physical damage and nothing temperamental. The DQ gets at least two hours more sun and get the morning sun quicker and longer. Amended sandy soil for all. Jon

Mine was beautiful for a few years and then started to decline. I wouldn't buy another one.

Jon, I am glad that your GE and Dream Queen are thriving in amended sandy soil. I used to have my first GE in the garden and we have clay soils. I did nothing special for it as I wasn't really into hostas (yet!). It grew slowly, but it grew. I can only say, in my experience, that GE likes it water! As for the sun, mine do thrive is less sun (and I don't have a whole lot), but the coloration suffers with insufficient sunlight. So I try to seek out sunnier areas in my garden.

NHL, My bigger GE

I did plant my GE in more sun than my DQ were in and it's in a place that stays more moist than other areas of the gardens. My sad DQ is in a sunnier spot than it was and I plan on watering it more often. I'm running out of room to store my pots in the winter so potting up is not an option now. I'm curious to see if I can keep it going in the garden. If these both fail, well......I guess I'll just have to look for another variety. The way I look at this is win win, either I succeed or I get something new!

Sherry

Sounds like the same experience I had with Thunderbolt - loved that hosta. Tried it 3 times, same result every time.

Deanna

Got my Dream queen in 2012 and still going okay. Another one that I bought before looking into the problems with keeping them alive is still looking okay and has grown from 2 shoots . I have two but don't recall where it is in my gardens but think it is still living. I will have to move some soon as they are all very crowded but at least the weeds can't grow

Thanks for the photos of your GE Jon. It's really rewarding to be able to grow GE as it is such a pretty hosta.

Sherry, I know what you mean about running out of room to store winter pots. I personally don't know where I will put all my pots this winter.

That's such a pretty Dream Queen almosthooked!