Hosta La Vista

We know January can feel like the longest month in the garden calendar — so consider this your little dose of green in the grey. Betsy and Mandy are back with a Season 2 preview episode of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, and we have a lot to look forward to together.We're hard at work planning a season we think you're really going to love — new guests, new gardens, new stories, and the same love for hostas and friendship that brought us all together in the first place.Season 2 kicks off May 9th with legendary hosta hybridizer Bob Solberg of Green Hill Hostas. Bob has introduced around 100 cultivars to the market including Guacamole, Curly Fries, and Cracker Crumbs — so if you've ever wondered who's responsible for naming hostas after your snack cabinet, we found him. He was doing food-named plants before it was cool.If you're planning to attend the Midwest Regional Hosta Society Convention in Madison, Wisconsin this July, come find us — Betsy and Mandy will both be there and would love to meet you in person.While you wait for May, catch up on all of Season 1 — every episode is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so Season 2 finds you the moment it drops. Got questions or just want to say hello? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.See you in May — we cannot wait.Betsy and Mandy

Protect your hostas from frost with a cardboard box — that's just one of the practical gems Gail Russo shares in this Season 1 finale of Hosta La Vista. We're visiting Gail and David Russo of The Russo Garden in Cedarville, New Jersey, for a deep dive into their stunning multi-habitat landscape featuring hostas, daylilies, sunny and shady beds, ponds, and water features.Learn how the Russos grow and sell hosta seeds through Facebook's Seed Growers group, overwinter seedlings, and collaborate with a nursery to bring new varieties to market. Whether you're curious about hosta seed growing for beginners, fall garden prep, or how to design a diverse shade garden, this episode is packed with actionable advice.Gail also contributes articles to the AHS e-Newsletter — a free quarterly publication from the American Hosta Society available to members and non-members alike. She's actively looking for gardeners to feature, so reach out if you'd like to share your story. Read her July issue here: https://americanhostasociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/July2025.pdfTopics covered:How to protect hostas from frost using cardboard boxesGrowing and selling hosta seedsOverwintering hosta seedlingsDesigning a multi-habitat garden with shade and sunSeasonal hosta care tips for fallContributing to the AHS e-NewsletterSubscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you don't miss Season 2. Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram, or email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com.

Ever wondered how to manage irrigation in a shade garden, or what it looks like when someone turns a passion project into one of the most remarkable nurseries in the country? This episode has answers.Mandy made the trip from the Midwest to Salem, Oregon to walk the four acres of display gardens at Sebright Gardens — and came back with stories worth sharing. We sit down with co-founder Kirk Hansen to talk about how he's built a living collection of over 1,000 hosta varieties alongside hardy ferns and epimediums, making Sebright one of the largest shade-garden nurseries west of the Mississippi.Kirk started Sebright as a private passion project in 2003. Today it's a destination for shade gardeners, plant parents, and hosta collectors from across the country — and yes, they do ship beyond Oregon's borders.In this conversation we get into the real nuts and bolts of managing a large shade garden: irrigation strategies, the challenges of growing under established trees, how to curate companion plants that complement hostas, and what the visitor experience is actually like when you walk those mossy paths yourself.Whether you're designing a shady corner of your backyard, dreaming of a Pacific Northwest road trip, or just fell down the hosta rabbit hole recently — this one's for you.Topics covered:Irrigation strategies for large shade gardensGrowing hostas and shade plants under treesHow Sebright Gardens grew from a backyard project to a destination nurseryCurating 1,000+ hosta varieties alongside ferns and epimediumsWhat to expect when visiting Sebright Gardens in Oregon's Willamette ValleyShipping plants across state lines — what's possible and how it worksShade garden design inspiration from the Pacific NorthwestFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Most hosta enthusiasts dream of visiting a few great gardens. Danny Lawson of Wichita, Kansas visited every single AHS sanctioned hosta display garden in the United States and Canada. Every. Single. One. And we caught him just before he crossed the finish line.Danny is the Editor of The Hosta Journal, President of the Wichita Hosta Society, and one of the most quietly respected voices in the American hosta community. He was also instrumental in bringing the AHS display hosta garden to Botanica — Wichita's beloved botanical garden — putting his hometown firmly on the national hosta map.In this conversation we dig into his journey from curious collector to seasoned curator, what goes into producing one of the most respected plant publications in the hobby, his favorite cultivars, and the stories and friendships built across a lifetime of visiting the finest hosta gardens in North America.We also play our signature Finish the Rhyme challenge and a This or That segment — because even the most serious hosta people know how to have fun.Topics covered:Visiting every AHS sanctioned hosta display garden in the US and CanadaThe AHS hosta garden at Botanica in Wichita, KansasEditing The Hosta Journal — behind the scenes of a world class plant publicationThe Wichita Hosta Society and shade gardening in the Great PlainsFavorite hosta cultivars and what makes a standout shade gardenBuilding community through the American Hosta Society display garden programFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Tucked away outside of Independence, Iowa, In The Country Garden & Gifts is the kind of place serious hosta collectors love — a family-run nursery with over 700+ hosta varieties, a carefully curated collection of rare and exclusive offerings, and a reputation that has been quietly growing into something the entire hosta world is paying attention to.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with Josh Spece to dig into how he built one of the Midwest's most respected hosta destinations from the ground up, with his family by his side every step of the way. We talk about how he curates his standout collection, what goes into selecting exclusive varieties, and how he balances a thriving mail-order business with the in-person magic of his nursery events.Whether you're a seasoned collector hunting your next grail plant, a new homeowner just falling in love with shade gardening, or someone who has been watching the hosta world evolve and wants to know who's shaping its future — this episode is essential listening.Topics covered:How Josh Spece and his family built In The Country Garden & Gifts into a must-visit Iowa hosta destinationCurating 700+ hosta varieties and the strategy behind exclusive offeringsRunning a family nursery with heart — balancing mail order and in-person eventsThe stories behind Josh's favorite plants and what excites him about what's comingWhy In The Country Garden & Gifts is a Midwest road trip worth planningWhat's next for Josh Spece and the future of hosta collecting and breedingDon't sleep on this one. Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Introverted: But willing to talk hostas. That pretty much describes Joe Rand and Todd Fussy of Lazy Toad Farm in Clearwater, Minnesota, and honestly, it might describe you too if you're listening to this podcast.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with the dynamic duo behind one of Minnesota's most delightfully unexpected farms — a place where over 1,000 hosta varieties grow alongside handcrafted pickles, cut flower CSA subscriptions, honey, and a merch shop that fully understands the assignment. It's the kind of place that names a doormat after a hosta called Striptease and sells mugs celebrating varieties like Hanky Panky — because why wouldn't you.Lazy Toad Farm is a thriving farm rooted in community, creativity, and an absolutely serious commitment to shade gardening done with personality. Joe and Todd have built something genuinely special in Clearwater — a farm that takes hostas seriously and everything else with a wink.We dig into how they curate their hosta collection, run a cut flower CSA bouquet subscription, preserve produce into some truly legendary pickle flavors, and host Open Farm Days that draw gardeners from across the region. Whether you're a plant parent, a pickle enthusiast, a cut flower devotee, or just someone who appreciates a farm that gives the whole hobby a little more fun — this episode is your people.Topics covered:The story behind Lazy Toad Farm and what makes it a Midwest must-visitGrowing and curating 1,000+ hosta varieties in MinnesotaRunning a cut flower CSA and handcrafted pickle operation alongside a nurseryOpen Farm Days — what to expect and why you should goShade gardening, community, and building something meaningful through plantsWhy Lazy Toad Farm might be the most entertaining follow on your social media feedIf you've ever felt personally called out by a tee shirt that says "Hostas Over Humans" — welcome home. Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Let's set the scene. Two women from North Alabama. One Mitsubishi Outlander. Nine days. Over 2,500 miles. And at some point along the way, a very serious conversation about whether clothes were really necessary for the rest of the trip or if that suitcase space could be better used for hostas.Spoiler: the hostas won.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with Julie Lewter and Susan Ragsdale of the Hosta Society of North Alabama to relive their legendary 2024 Excellent Midwest Hosta Visit — a road trip so thoroughly documented on Facebook that their followers watched in real time as a perfectly normal SUV slowly transformed into a mobile jungle. By the time they crossed back into Alabama, there was considerably more green and considerably less legroom than when they left.Julie and Susan hit ten states — Alabama, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee — stopping at some of the most celebrated hosta gardens and nurseries in the country. They came. They saw. They absolutely did not practice restraint.Their stops included:Hostas on the Bluff — Fairview Heights, Illinois, perched on the bluffs overlooking the St. Louis skylineIn The Country Garden & Gifts — Independence, IowaK&K Gardens — Hawkeye, IowaHosta-Store-Hollandale, MNRock Landscaping and Garden-Baldwin, WIRayArt Shady Oaks Garden-Menomonie, WIUniquely Hostas-Elroy, WILand of the Giants-Milton, WIAudrey Temner's Garden-Appleton, WIAl's Autobody and Arboretum-Walworth, WIHornbaker Gardens — Princeton, IllinoisDavid Bowe-OhioAnd more stops that may or may not have contributed to the clothing situationYou can relive the whole adventure yourself — Julie and Susan chronicled every glorious mile on Facebook under The Excellent Midwest Hosta Visit, and the photos and videos are all still there waiting for you. Fair warning: you will immediately start planning your own trip.And the best news? The Excellent Midwest Hosta Visit 2.0 is coming in 2026. These two are not done. Not even a little bit.Whether you're a seasoned hosta collector with your own road trip bucket list, a shade garden enthusiast who lives vicariously through other people's plant hauls, or someone who has simply never considered abandoning their wardrobe in a motel room for the greater good of their hosta collection — this episode is for you.Topics covered:The Excellent Midwest Hosta Visit — 9 days, 2,500+ miles, 10 statesMust-visit hosta nurseries and gardens across the MidwestWhat happens when two hosta lovers are completely unsupervised with an SUV and a credit cardHow to plan a multi-state hosta garden road tripThe Hosta Society of North Alabama and what local hosta societies are all aboutThe Excellent Midwest Hosta Visit 2.0 — what's coming in 2026Why your car will never look the same after a hosta road tripGot questions, a road trip story, or just want to commiserate about suitcase space? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

If you've ever watched a hosta seedling push through soil for the first time, wondered what that strange spot on your hosta leaf means, or stood nervously beside a show table hoping your entry would impress a judge — David Teager has something to say to you.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with one of the most genuinely multifaceted contributors in the hosta world — AHS Judge Emeritus, YouTube educator, Facebook community admin, web designer, seed grower, and all around hosta revolutionary.David's YouTube channel at @davidteager is one of the best resources anywhere for gardeners wanting to grow hostas from seed. Practical, clear, and built from real experience — if hosta seed starting is on your radar, start there.He also serves as admin for both the Hosta ID and Hosta Diseases and Pests groups on Facebook — two of the most valuable resources in the online hosta community for identifying unknown cultivars and diagnosing plant problems. David brings that same dedication to the Delaware Valley Hosta Society, where he is an active member and the web designer behind their online presence.As AHS Judge Emeritus, David has spent years evaluating the finest hostas in the country and in this conversation he shares practical insights, cautionary tales, and the generous encouragement that has made him one of the most beloved figures in the hosta world.Topics covered:How to grow hostas from seed — tips from YouTube channel @davidteagerHosta seed starting for beginners and experienced growersIdentifying hosta diseases and pests via the Facebook communityHosta ID — how to identify unknown cultivarsWhat AHS show judges look for at a hosta show tableThe AHS Judge Emeritus designationThe Delaware Valley Hosta Society — community, membership, and web presenceFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

If Hornbaker Gardens isn't already on your must-visit list, it's about to be. This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with Dave Hornbaker, second-generation co-owner of one of Illinois' most beloved destination nurseries — a place that grew from a dream on a patch of prairie into a full-scale garden center, event venue, and hosta lover's paradise.Dave walks us through the whole story — from the early days of digging in the dirt alongside his family to building a nursery with a reputation for sweeping hosta collections, thoughtfully curated companion plants, and landscapes that stop you in your tracks. Hornbaker Gardens isn't just a place to buy plants. It's a place that makes you feel something.We dig into their philosophy of gardening as an art form, what keeps the Hornbaker family grounded in their mission to inspire, and why gardeners from across the Midwest keep making the trip to Princeton, Illinois year after year.Whether you're a seasoned hosta collector, a plant parent dreaming of your next road trip, or just discovering the world of shade gardening — this conversation will leave you refreshed, inspired, and itching to get your hands back in the dirt.Topics covered:The origin story of Hornbaker Gardens — from prairie to plant destinationBuilding a second-generation family nursery in the heart of IllinoisHostas and companion plants that define the Hornbaker Gardens experienceGardening as an art form — the philosophy behind the landscapesWhat makes Hornbaker Gardens a Midwest road trip worth takingRunning a garden center and event venue side by sideInspiration for shade gardeners at every levelFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

The Cochato Way: Growing with Heart and Humor — with Chuck DoughtyIn this episode, we sit down with the one and only Chuck Doughty of Cochato Nursery—longtime grower, collector, American Hosta Society President, and the man behind one of the most beautiful hosta nurseries around.Chuck shares how a small plot of land in Massachusetts became the birthplace of Cochato, how he approaches hostas with both precision and playfulness. We talk AHS leadership, favorite seedlings, past hosta heroes, and how to keep things growing—both in the garden and in the community.Whether you're a seasoned collector or just hosta-curious, Chuck’s stories, energy, and passion for the plant will leave you smiling and inspired.Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast — where the leaves are lush and the friendships perennial.

If you've ever been quietly talked into doing something for the hosta world by someone who made it sound completely reasonable at the time — congratulations. You've been Bobbed.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with Andy Marlow of Hopkins, Minnesota — former President of the American Hosta Society, Photo Editor of The Hosta Journal, master photographer, retired college radio host, and hosta renaissance man. Andy has been growing hostas since 1979 and has spent decades shaping how the hosta community sees and shares these beloved plants.Much of Andy's deep involvement in the hosta world traces back to the late, great Dr. Bob Olson — AHS legend, former President, go-getter of the highest order, and the man for whom hostas and AHS awards have been named. Dr. Olson had a gift for cheerfully recruiting people into remarkable things. Andy calls it being Bobbed. The hosta world is better for every person Bob ever Bobbed.In this episode we dig into the art and science of stellar horticulture photography — the rule of thirds, how to frame a winning shot, what separates a good garden photo from an award winning photo, and why light matters as much as the plant itself. Whether you're shooting on a phone or a professional camera, Andy's insights are practical and genuinely game-changing for anyone who wants to document their shade garden beautifully.Topics covered:Stellar horticulture photography tips for gardeners at every levelThe rule of thirds and award winning photo compositionFraming, light, and technique for hosta and shade garden photographyAndy Marlow's path from his first hosta in 1979 to AHS PresidentPhoto editing at The Hosta JournalThe legacy of Dr. Bob Olson — AHS legend and the original source of being BobbedThe American Hosta Society — history, evolution, and what's aheadFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

If you've ever dreamed of a garden that feels like it was conjured rather than planted — with winding paths, handcrafted sculptures, a waterfall, a pond, tucked away sheds built by hand, and hostas around every corner — Kathy Pedersen's Heavenly Hostas in Shakopee, Minnesota is exactly that place.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with Kathy for one of the warmest, funniest, and most insightful conversations we've had yet. Kathy is a grower, a guide, and the heart behind one of the Midwest's most beloved award-winning cottage shade gardens — a private wonderland that visitors can actually experience in person, by appointment.And yes, if she has the plant and you ask nicely, she just might dig up a piece for you to take home. Find her on Facebook — she's responsive, generous, and genuinely loves connecting with fellow hosta enthusiasts.Kathy shares what she looks for in a great plant, what it means to have a show garden, and how she thinks about micro-climates when designing her layered cottage shade garden spaces. But perhaps the most special part of this conversation is the story of her lifelong friendship with legendary hosta hybridizer Hideko Gowen — and how that relationship quietly shaped her entire path in the hosta world.Heavenly Hostas isn't just a garden. It's a reflection of decades of passion, friendship, artistry, and an almost unreasonable love of shade plants. The handcrafted sculptures, the hand built sheds, the waterfall, the pond — every corner of this cottage shade garden tells a story. And Kathy tells them all beautifully.Topics covered:Touring Heavenly Hostas — an award-winning private cottage shade garden in Shakopee, MinnesotaDesigning a cottage shade garden with waterfalls, ponds, paths, and handcrafted sculpturesUnderstanding micro-climates and how to use them in shade garden designWhat Kathy Pedersen looks for in a great hostaKathy's lifelong friendship with legendary hosta hybridizer Hideko GowenHow to visit Heavenly Hostas by appointment and purchase plants directly from KathyWhat it means to open a private garden as a show gardenShade garden inspiration for collectors and beginner gardeners alikeWant to visit Heavenly Hostas or inquire about plants? Find Kathy Pedersen on Facebook — she loves hearing from fellow shade garden enthusiasts and is happy to arrange visits and plant purchases by appointment.Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

What if gardening wasn't just a hobby — but a path to healing? This episode of Hosta La Vista goes somewhere a little deeper than usual, and we think it might be one you'll want to share.This week, Betsy and Mandy head to Cuyahoga County, Ohio to sit down with Barb Rauckhorst — President of the North Coast Hosta Society, proud Master Gardener, and someone whose personal connection to the garden goes well beyond beautiful leaves and shade beds. Barb's story touches on something that stopped Betsy in her tracks: horticultural therapy — the practice of using gardening and plant-based activities to support healing, wellness, and mental health.Barb shares how she fell in love with hostas, what it takes to lead one of Ohio's most active local hosta societies, and what the Master Gardener program really means to the people in it. Her warmth and passion for community gardening come through in every answer — and her personal connection to horticultural therapy gives this conversation a dimension that goes far beyond plant talk.After the interview wraps, Betsy dives into the history of horticultural therapy — a practice with roots stretching back centuries that is only now getting the mainstream recognition it deserves. If you've never heard of it, you're not alone. Betsy hadn't either — until Barb's story sent her down a research rabbit hole that she is very glad she fell into.Horticultural therapy is used in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, memory care facilities, correctional institutions, veterans programs, and mental health treatment — and the evidence behind it is growing. If you work in healthcare, wellness, or education, or if you've ever found yourself feeling genuinely better after time in the garden and wondered why — this episode will resonate.This is one of those episodes that listeners have been passing along. We think you'll understand why once you hear it.Topics covered:What is horticultural therapy and how does it workThe history of horticultural therapy — from ancient practice to modern treatmentHorticultural therapy in hospitals, memory care, veterans programs, and mental health treatmentBarb Rauckhorst's personal connection to healing through gardeningLeading the North Coast Hosta Society in Cuyahoga County, OhioWhat the Master Gardener program is and what it means to participantsGrowing membership and community in a local hosta societyWhy gardening is good for your mental health — and the science behind itTo learn more about horticultural therapy, visit the American Horticultural Therapy Association at www.ahta.org.Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

This week on Hosta La Vista, we're honored to welcome Dr. Mary Albrecht, the Vice President-Genus Hosta of the American Hosta Society! Join Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson as they sit down with Dr. Albrecht to explore her journey and deep expertise within the world of hostas. Learn about her pivotal role in the AHS, her insights into the future of the "friendship plant," and the valuable contributions she's made to the Society. This episode offers a unique perspective from one of the AHS's key leaders. As always, if you have questions or thoughts for the pod, reach out to hostalavistapodcast@gmail.comClick 'follow' to never miss an episode.

Get ready for a masterclass in hostas! This week on Hosta La Vista, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome the legendary Don Rawson! Sisters Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson sit down with a true titan of the hosta world – a hybridizer extraordinaire whose creations, like Betsy's personal favorite 'Alligator Rock', consistently astound. We're huge fans of Don's groundbreaking work and immensely appreciate his invaluable contributions to the Hosta Library. Tune in as Don shares stories, insights, and perhaps a few secrets from his decades of cultivating and creating hosta beauties. This is a must-listen you won't want to miss!

Before Niagara Falls existed, Olga Petryszyn painted it. Before Coast to Coast was growing in gardens from sea to shining sea, she dreamed it into being on watercolor paper. Then she spent decades making every single one of them real.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy are fully fangirling — and we make no apologies. We are joined by the one and only Olga Petryszyn of Northern Indiana — known worldwide as The Hosta Lady, winner of the prestigious Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Award, Master Judge of the American Hosta Society, and the creative force behind some of the most beloved hosta cultivars in existence.Olga's journey into hybridizing began in 1986 under the guidance of master gardener and Art Institute of Chicago professor Bill Brincka — a mentor and dear friend whose influence on her craft and her life cannot be overstated. It was Bill who first opened her eyes to what hostas could become, and the hosta world has never been the same since.Her Americana Collection includes some of the most recognizable cultivars in the hosta world — Niagara Falls, Coast to Coast, Manhattan, Grand Canyon, Key West, Blue Hawaii, Chesapeake Bay, Golden Gate, Gone with the Wind, Mississippi Delta, Gotham, All That Jazz, Dawn's Early Light, Old Faithful, Brother Stefan, and more. Coast to Coast was the 2020 Hosta of the Year. Brother Stefan was the 2017 Hosta of the Year. If you grow hostas, you almost certainly grow Olga.Topics covered:The origin story of the Americana Collection — from watercolor paintings to world renowned hostasThe art and science of hosta hybridizing — form, color, texture, and geneticsThe influence of mentor Bill Brincka on Olga's life and careerCultivar spotlights — Niagara Falls, Coast to Coast, Brother Stefan, Key West, Blue Hawaii and moreThe Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer AwardGrowing giant hostas — tips from the master herselfWhat makes a hosta worthy of introduction to the marketFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Can you grow hostas in Florida? In Zone 9? Zone 10? Zone 11? David Bowe has tried. And in this episode he tells you exactly what he learned.This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy sit down with hosta hybridizer David Bowe — a man who spent decades breeding some of the most personality-packed cultivars in the hosta world, relocated to Miami, and refused to stop being curious about plants. He just had to find different ones.David has registered over 30 hosta cultivars, many of them as memorable for their names as their leaves. Bottle Rockets. Cupid's Bow. Beau Brummell. Summer Rainbow. His hybrids aren't just beautiful — they have a sense of humor, which in a field full of perfectionists is genuinely refreshing. In this conversation he shares what it's like to watch a tiny seedling become a named variety, how he decides which plants make the cut, and why he doesn't take himself too seriously.But the real twist in David's story is Miami. After decades of hosta hybridizing in Ohio, he relocated to Zone 11 — where the blazing heat makes growing hostas nearly impossible. We dig deep into what that transition looked like, what he learned about attempting to overwinter hostas in Zones 9 through 11, whether it's actually worth trying, and what warm climate gardeners can realistically expect when they refuse to give up on their favorite shade plant.And when hostas finally said goodbye, David said hello to orchids — applying the same hybridizing curiosity, patience, and eye for the unusual to a whole new genus in a whole new climate. You just can't keep a good hybridizer down.Whether you're a collector, a hybridizer in training, a warm climate gardener desperately googling whether hostas can survive a Florida summer, or just someone who appreciates a hosta with a sense of humor — this episode is for you.Topics covered:Can you grow hostas in Florida — honest answers for Zone 9, 10, and 11 gardenersHow to overwinter hostas in warm climates — tips, tricks, and reality checksGrowing hostas in Zone 11 — what works, what doesn't, and whether it's worth itDavid Bowe's 30+ registered hosta cultivars — Bottle Rockets, Cupid's Bow, Beau Brummell, Summer Rainbow and moreHow hosta hybridizers choose which seedlings make the cutRelocating from Ohio to Miami and leaving a hosta garden behindFrom hostas to orchids — applying hybridizing skills in a new climateHumor, creativity, and personality in hosta naming and breedingFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of Hosta La Vista — the podcast devoted to the world of Hostas and the people who love them.We’re bringing you highlights and field reports from the American Hosta Society’s annual convention 2025, whether you were there and want to relive the magic — or missed it and need to know what went down, like me — this one’s for you.Thanks to Alisa, Tanya and Julie for their coverage of the convention. Lots of insights, memories and takeaways. Safe travels to all headed home today. Enjoy your new plants and keep on listening. Send us your comments and questions at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com

Pack your wellies and a good umbrella — Hosta La Vista is heading to England.This week Betsy and Mandy cross the Atlantic to sit down with Ben Matthews of Worcester, England — curator of one of the most fascinating and historically significant hosta collections in the world. Ben holds the Plant Heritage designated British National Hosta Collection, focusing specifically on British hybridized hosta introductions from 1976 to 2016, comprising 32 species and an additional 350 cultivars — all tucked into a shade tunnel in a small suburban garden just three minutes from the M5. Because sometimes the most extraordinary things come in the most unassuming packages.Ben's journey into the world of serious hosta collecting began with his mentor Una Dunnett — a fellow Worcestershire hosta enthusiast who lived down the road. When Una passed, she left her beloved collection to Ben, a gesture that speaks volumes about the trust and friendship they shared and the responsibility Ben carries as its steward. It is a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever been shaped by a generous mentor or inherited a passion from someone they loved.Ben is a member of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society and brings a perspective on hosta growing and conservation genuinely different from anything we've heard on this side of the ocean. The UK growing climate, the culture around botanical conservation, and the particular challenges and joys of growing hostas in an English shade garden offer a fascinating window into a parallel hosta world that most American growers never get to peek inside.And if you ever find yourself near Worcester — Ben's collection is open by appointment and completely free to visit. Contact him at hostahouse2@gmail.com.Topics covered:The British National Hosta Collection — Plant Heritage designated, Worcester EnglandBritish hybridized hosta introductions 1976 to 2016The mentorship of Una Dunnett and how her legacy lives on in Ben's collectionGrowing hostas in the UK — climate, challenges, and shade gardening differencesThe Plant Heritage National Collection program and botanical conservation in BritainThe British Hosta and Hemerocallis SocietyStewarding a living national plant heritage collectionTransatlantic hosta connections — what UK and US growers can learn from each otherFollow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Got questions or a story to share? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook and Instagram at Hosta La Vista Podcast.

This week's guest is Hosta grower, photographer and nationally recognized Hosta judge, Alisa Bowe Lenhardt. A member of the famous Bowe family, she joins us to discuss her own Hosta cultivar, being a show judge and even gives us a warning about how easy HVX can be missed. Join us as we talk to this expert in flower arranging, getting started with Hosta and the joy of taking the art to the next level-Hosta shows! This weekend is the annual American Hosta Society convention in Peoria, Illinois where Alisa will be a judge. Have a Hosta question or a riddle you want us to use on air? send us a line at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page: Hosta La Vista Podcast.If you like this podcast please leave us a review. (all communication helps the algorithm get to more people) and share with a gardener you think may enjoy listening to us.