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Frances Williams



I have a Frances Williams (at least I think it is) that actually does pretty well in a foundation planting on the west side of my home. I've been reading up on it and it sounds like it's very touchy about sunlight. Between the location of the garage/house (think L shape) and a tree, this FW gets very little direct sunlight.


I am renovating the area, which is the front of my home, and want to put showy hostas in to make a statement. Given this plant's reputation for being unsightly at times, would you recommend I move it to another, more private location?

Comments (10)

  • 8 years ago

    i dont think so.. leaves looks to pointed to my eye ... but lack of maturity can change things ....


    look in the hosta library.. and see if you see what i mean.. about pointed leaves ...


    ken

    Kari 4b Minneapolis thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
  • 8 years ago

    Yeah, I've looked at those plants over and over. The thing that confuses me is mine isn't corrugated. Most of the FW photos I've seen are.

  • 8 years ago

    Kind of looks like Earth Angel.

  • 8 years ago

    pebbling.. or corrugation.. is one of the last signs of maturity ....


    this plant takes 5 to 7 years to mature fully ...


    whatever yours is ..its not mature ... its squat [check planting depth] .... flat ... leaves are longer that leaf length ....


    its either too deep... to get the proper leaf to petiole length ...


    or its going to explode next year ... its like its a gangly teen ... lol ..


    ken


    ps: 9 out of ten FWs are carp plants ... this one is so much better.. that it makes me want to spit .... ???? ... if it is FW ... fine... but dont move it out if it isnt.. to plant a FW there ... of course.. you are in MN ... where they can grow nice FWs ...

    Kari 4b Minneapolis thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
  • 8 years ago

    If I do move it, I will not be putting a FW in that location at all.

  • 8 years ago

    While trying to identify this on my own, I was factoring in that FW is listed as slug resistant. I see one of the leaves has been enjoyed by the critters. So does that automatically rule it out as FW?

    I did a google search and found lots of evidence of slug damage on FWs so that doesn't appear to be a hard and fast rule. I'm irritated with myself that I haven't kept better records of my plants. There are so many factors that could affect the appearance so it's even more tricky to figure out identification.

  • 8 years ago

    I see one of the leaves has been enjoyed by the critters. So does that automatically rule it out as FW?


    ==>> imo ..... slug damage is NOT a diagnostic in hosta .... i would love to see a link that suggests such ...


    its usually a sign of your collection getting bigger.. and how hosta.. in the night .. call to the vermin ... lol ... as you tend to a monoculture ... its not surprising to start having the problems associated with the monoculture ... meaning if you have 1000 hosta ... im going to bet you will have or get slugs ....


    the leaf you mention is laying on the ground.. and i again encourage you to check for proper planting depth ..


    ken



    Kari 4b Minneapolis thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
  • 8 years ago

    I agree with others, I immediately thought 'Earth Angel' when I saw the photo. Looks like a beauty!

  • 8 years ago

    Francis is one I rarely photograph. It tends to have rust spots early on. Ken told me years ago due to early emerging when its too cold. I wonder if that April insane snow we here in MN had kept it dormant long enough this year. It looks pretty good over all. This is one of my first variegated yellow. I just wish it played nicer and I had it where I can see it more often.

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