H. 'Fresh'

On the way back home from shopping @ Walmart I stopped by my favourite specialty nursery in our area, Phoenix Perennials. I promised myself I'd just go in and see if there was something inexpensive in Hostas that I shouldn't have to do without and not spend more than ten bucks including taxes.

Well, needless to say, for a mere $4.99 this little cutie came home with me! I have a soft spot for the minis and while this one wasn't on my 'Most Wanted' list, at the price I just couldn't pass it up. I figured that it had to be a fairly good grower, seeing as it was so inexpensive.

There wasn't a lot to be found on this unregistered Paul Aden cultivar, a couple of places do make mention though of it being a good grower. What I did find out is that it is a sport of 'Amy Aden', which also sported to 'Blonde Elf'.

6 weeks later, on the first day of fall, it shows some nice additional growth and there's even a small pod on the scape.

In 2008 it was located in a spot where it received virtually full sun for most of the day. That brighter light has had quite an impact on the colour of the leaves, they're quite a bit lighter than last year. This picture is from the middle of June and you can see that quite clearly. In another month or so the colour will be much more golden than what you see here now.

Almost 4 weeks later and look at how much lighter the leaves have become in colour. When I purchased it in early August of last year, I couldn't have imagined it would get this light and bright, but it's nice to see... Now, if only it was as vigorous as it's cousin 'Blonde Elf', which I also acquired last year, as part of a trade, it too is in mostly full sun this year and is a little lighter, but not as dramatic as this one. It has shown better vigour though than this one.

For a look at some more details about this variety go to Hugo's Database.