Great idea. I created an alphabetical list of my hostas on Word, and noted on each one if it rose early/late, potted or planted, if ever died & replaced. I only replace a bad plant once, unless its second failure was due to factors not-related to the plant (like if I stepped on it or the dog ate it). I then created lists in the same Word file for the type of plant by coloration (green, blue, gold, light-centered, light-margined). I have not made other lists for size or sun-tolerance. I could see the same information being done in a spread sheet.

Thank you, Ken and Under the Oaks!

Arraugh! picture files, but need to make them. The new house and garden is a good starting point. I like Ken's naming procedure.

I guess I will do alpha, size, color, location, date if known, maybe source.

I have maps to help me with the process. I will be asking help with id's later. I guess on my noids I will note flower color when it happens.

I am still open to more suggestions!!!!

No pictures for me, just an alphabetical list in Excel with the purchase year in the next column. I know the location of every single one in my head, and where I got them.

I keep name, breeder, seller, year bought and size. If I can't remember the color, I can always look it up. I also mapped out my beds in excel and use 2+ letters to identify each Hosta in the map. Then list the whole name and height near the map so I can decide what I might want to move (and sometimes I can't remember the name from the abbreviation).

No pictures for me, just an alphabetical list

==>> havent we seen pix from you mick???

i meant naming pix files ... not pix in a dB for reference sake ...

i dont know why OP needs size .. since it varies ... height should be a fixed number.. but clump width is just an age thing ...

unless of course it rings you bell .. in which case.. ding dong ... lol ..

oh.. and name your beds according to something in that bed ... like. i dont know.. magnolia bed ... then location off said major plant.. NMag .. EMag ... etc .. north mag...

ken

Great ideas and organization, everyone. Golf clap all around. This is why I love the Hosta forum!

I do not include pictures in my Word doc. I have the picture directory on my computer display as small icons (or something like that), so I have tiny cameo of each picture displaying over the file name. I take a picture of each bed from a high angel a few times throughout the Hosta season so that I know where everything is. In the late winter, I can review the pictures in the spring to know where everything is and how it did in that spot over spring, summer, and fall. If they don't come up by May, that means they are probably dead. Most important to me is the reason they died in that spot: disease, weak plant, vermin, clumsy gardener, etc.

As Ken says, " they are all hosta... what more need be known ... "

==>> havent we seen pix from you mick???

I've posted garden pics and a few individual pics, but in my "database" it's just name and year....everything else is in my head, The only reason I have tags is if I get hit by bus my wife knows what they're called when she sells them all.....

OMG!!! You are all waaaaaay to enthusiastic for me!! That type system sounds like a nightmare to me......I am lucky I figured out how to put words on the photos! :-D

I would like to say my spreadsheet is done!

But the true nature of spreadsheets ... they are not "done" but no longer "useful."

The exercise showed me how many hosta I have... don't tell DH! He will think it is enough. But this yard could hold "hundreds"! Where is my checkbook?

But the spreadsheet did showed what gardens need more attention. A visual inspection showed me damaged leaves due to spring weather. And great favorites need to be acquired, I have loved Hosta since the 80's but there have been many life changes and homes since then. I do sneak by my old houses in person and via google to view if loved ones are still growing.

(Wu la la is listed as on driveway, I must find a new home for him.)