Unfortunately, the Library doesn't provide size information on every cultivar. I do look there, though, and at various online nursery descriptions. I also have a column for projected size.... but I'm learning that - as someone on the forum said - the hostas can't read! And almost all of mine are getting way bigger than expected. None of mine are very old, in the scheme of things, so I could be in trouble. Yikes! It could be because many of mine get more sun than I would really like... they'd probably be prettier if the trees would hurry up and grow! LOL.

Thx, windymess. Mine are probably the opposite. Not many will reach their full potential because they never get solid direct sunlight, just glimpses as the tree leaves move around. They are large enough for me to admire. I'm not a big fan of the gardens where there are hostas burnt to a crisp in the sun and no intention of ever having any bit of shade.

But I do use the information in planning the initial placement.

Guess I'll just keep bouncing around the different nurseries that I buy from.

Here's hoping your trees grow big and strong.

Here is a site I find pretty useful: http://www.plantsgalore.com/Hostas/cultivars/index.htm

Good source click on site below and then the hosta you want to know about then on top left of each hosta you view is MyHostas Database Info and will give all info on the various hosta . I found this to be very helpful info http://www.hostalibrary.org/a/a.html

mature height should be genetic .... but can be zoomed with heavy excessive fert ...

width .. in theory ... is variable ... perfectly grown.. it should never stop expanding ... but ..imo ... that rarely happens ... sooner or later.. something stops them ...

i was a dB nut back in the day ... and i had to rely on books ... pre WWW ... and after i changed about 1000 records to full sun ... because i was using british books ... i gave up ...

thats when i figured out england was at the 60th parallel ... 2/3 of the way to the north pole.. and they could all grow in full sun.. not to mention ... they never have much sun.. thru all the rain and fog ... lol ...

go figure ... enjoy the serach.. but dont get tied up in perfection ...

ken

I was outside planting this morning, managed to get four more into the ground... and I was trying to space them further than I might have done in the past. Re: what Ken said, it's definitely the width that I was talking about. The heights are about on target with the info I've gathered.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check them all out. I don't expect to get within 2-3 inches, just some basic guide.

LOL, Ken WWW. (What was that .....j/k). Didn't think about England and 60th parallel. Hmmmm, now what parallel am I in.

I do have Hostapedia and use it often and have the field guide too.

Here's an example. Blue Ivory, Hosta Library Registration 10"Hx12"W, then Myhosta.be says 16"Hx30"W. eyeyiyi sp? I'm in trouble. I sure hope it will be the latter. Think I will use your sources and take about an average of 3. (like blood pressure). :)

I've done this year's plants and I'll put anything else off for a winter project.

Just to add, that if a hosta is registered when it is only 3 or 4 years old, the mature dimensions are really only a good guess based on the parent plants. So much depends on where and how it is being grown, that nothing will be more than a guideline. Mini, S,M,L,XL works for me.

-Babka

And as I understand it, when a hosta is described as S, M, L, XL - that refers to it's height. Which is fine, and good to know. But I usually would benefit from knowing its eventual width (as if that were really possible).

Like I said... I'm probably in trouble regarding some of my plantings. Gonna run out of real estate sooner than expected. The neighbors and kids will hopefully take some off my hands at some point!

I use this Hosta Library as my most definitive source. I have a couple of books by Grendel and Shaddrack, pocket guide and Encyclopedia . The Zilis book is $140 on amazon. I want to know if It’s worth it.. Madplanter, I would buy it if you or som others have found it to be extremely useful.

DJ, I love my Hostapedia. At some point when one realizes you can not collect them all you start looking into other things. So I find it interesting to check for history, parentage etc. But I bought it years ago on pre sale?

NH hosta sells it for for $80

I got the Hostapedia and the Field Guide when Mark was selling them at a convention, and I don't think they were $140. together. They're full of good stuff. The Field Guide is newer, cheaper, and more portable. You might want to start with that and see how you like it.

The Hostapedia is enormous with colored photos on most pages. You have to read it sitting at a table. I can understand the price; printing it must be very expensive, and it sells to a limited audience.

Thanks for your comments about this I did realize it is actually over the back restriction of 10 lb lifting I have! Hahaha, ! Maybe the pocket guide is a good start, but if I can get the Hostapedia for $80, I will buy it.$$$$

Thanks lindalana, I just bought it!