Millennium Hostas Proudly Offers


by Glen Williams
April 1, 2000

Millennium Hostas has been in existence for 3 years now. This is a once a year offering and you must act quickly if you want to be among the first in the hosta society to get one of these beauties. All of these plants come from carefully controlled crosses and will no doubt be found in the gardens of the rich and the famous in a very short while. Sorry, but all of these hostas are green, no variegation, but then variegated leaves are beginning to become passe. Each hosta, even though a solid green, has at least one very unique characteristic...enough to tempt the jaded but cultured serious collector. If you are an ordinary hosta buyer you should stop reading here; these hostas are not for you. They have been grown-on for at least 4 years.If you elect to buy one or more, your application to buy will be screened by a select committee of hosta notables. It will help to have a check already written if you apply to buy. Nor would an added signing bonus hurt your chances. Some clients who have purchased Millennium Hostas in the past have found their gardens on national tours......what can I say.

Hosta List with Discrete Prices

H. 'Wanderlust'

This is a peripatetic hosta (stoloniferous) and once established wanders all over the place. Carol Brashear, although it has not been verified, has said that the roots of this hosta use vole tunnels as a way of speeding its migration. What is really special about it is that once it achieves the height of 15 " it develops tendrils and literally becomes a vine. The Leaves are small and cordate, very glossy, a grayish white on the underside.Although it lacks the speed of Kudzu it can cover a screen house in a summer. It flowers freely, with a subtle scent of musk. The parentage is H. '281 x H.'542a). The numbers reflect the depth of our breeding program. @ $120.00

H. 'Nuked'

This hosta has a charming story behind it. It was found and collected by Barbara Jones when she visited the Chernobyl site in Russia. She had gone there duck hunting with her twin brothers (there has been some two-head ducks sighted). At one corner of the vast cement entombment she found this hosta. It is a tall hosta with no basal leaves. All the leaves are vestigial, appearing at random on the one stem, accompanied by small cluster of blossoms which never open. The petiole is a bright red, the flower bud an undiminished ghostly white, while the petit clusters of leaves are a bright green, showing off what can only be called a unearthly glow at twilight. Barbara says that it is very quiet there at twilight. The plant with it special coloration of bright green, red, and ghostly white certainly reminds one of Christmas. @ only $250.00

H. 'Holy Grail'

This is H. 'Brim Cup' selfed for 5 generations. The leaves form exceptionally deep cups which hold up to a pint of water on the older plants. The draw string effect around the outside edge of the leaf give it an added strength. A partially filled cup will support a small wren perched on the edge of the leaf as the bird sips from the cup. Unfortunately the robins try and drink form it too, with a result I am sure you can imagine .These cups also breed mosquitoes in early June, but by placing small frogs in the deep cups will help you and offer visitors a surprise. @ $150.00

H. 'Floozy'

This was an accidental cross between H. 'Painted Lady' and H. 'Bridegroom'. Very accidental. Rumors that H. 'Bridegroom' are sterile can safely be ignored now. This all green hosta is special because of the leaf shape. About midway up the leaf there is an indentation which gives it a slight hour-glass shape. It is guaranteed to raise eyebrows at Cut Leaf Shows. Although the plant has no plantaginea in its ancestry the flowers give off the scent of cheap perfume all summer. Like so many other hosta leaves it makes a special contribution to a tossed salad. Dressing is optional. This hosta is deemed so special that it is only available as a rental for lavish occasions. As it is so expensive, there is a special lay-away plan. @ $200.00 for a long weekend

H.'Die Zauberflote'

We have saved this hosta for our millennium year simply because it adds a new sense sensation to the world of hostas. This plant came from a fortuitous cross between H. 'Praying Hands' and H. 'Summer Music'. It is a plant with a very upright habit and it takes a while for the hosta to become a tight clump, but the wait is worth while. The deeply veined green leaves grow in such a manner that what can only be described as having a flute-like aperture which is created as the leaves strain to meet one another and close the conical shape. . One sees almost nothing of the top of the leaf , while the underside glaucous surface is exposed as it creates its cone-like form. It is unique! Actually it looks like a bouquet of milkweed pods. The special treasure of this plant becomes apparent as the wind blows. As the wind passes over the aperture it creates a a flute-like sound that permeates the garden. It is remarkable. As a mature plant develops more leaves, a windy day produces a veritable symphony. And the leaves can be tuned! (with slug holes). In fact I will let the cat out of the bag to tell you that I have sold a mature clump of this hosta to Zamphir of the Pan Flute fame. How long can it be before we see him playing this plant on late night television? I can only hope he makes a special recording of Amazing Grace. @ $250.00 (preview tape available)


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