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Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Hosta (HOSS-tuh) (Info) Cultivar: Great Expectations Hybridized by Aden; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1988
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Light Shade
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Patent Information: Non-patented
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
On Jun 12, 2010, elsbethpd from Boulder, CO (Zone 5b) wrote:
This is the most outstanding color combination of all my Hostas (the second would be Paul's Glory). I have it in morning light. As others have noted, it is indeed a slow starter. In our very alkaline clay, I add Fertilome Soil Acidifier + Iron early in spring to my garden, and it makes the blue-green coloration of GE more vibrant.
On Apr 22, 2010, yarddawg from Greenville, NC (Zone 7b) wrote:
This is one of those Hostas which can be temperamental in NC. I've tried it twice, both in eastern NC and in the Piedmont. In the ground it slowly decreased in size, Almost melted away. I loved the foliage so much I put it in a large decorative pot and it has rebounded nicely and now thrives.Been in the same pot for four years and it is beautiful. Best with some morning sun, to maximize the color, and afternoon shade, to prevent leaf scorch.
On Sep 27, 2009, petonegirl from Wellington New Zealand wrote:
I live in New Zealand & we have a temperate climate, I have many hosta's & GE I find is a very slow grower, pest resistant to slugs. I agree with the other comments it hates being moved & can sulk if done so, having moved my 1 GE hosta 3 times to different gardens.
Definitely worth growing but have patience with it.
I treasure this hosta as it is no longer available to buy here in NZ maybe due to the slow growing habit, & not a profitable plant for selling.
On Jun 8, 2006, briannacorn from Sumner, ME wrote:
I read other reviews with interest, I purchased my plant from an individual who was selling her garden off as she was moving to New Zealand. This was approximately 4 years ago, needless to say I had bought quite a few plants and had kind of ignored this one. I ended up moving it 2 years ago and in the process split it into 2 plants, this year they have both come onlike gangbusters. Present location sheltered on east by large blue spruce,receives morning sun and sheltered on west by large barn.We have had a lot of rain this spring and this plant looks fantastic.My impression slow out of the starting gate but once you find the right niche absolutely delightful.
I have tried growing this beauty once before, and had no success....so, I thought I'd try it again....but, instead of direct planting, I have it in a pot, and it is doing wonderfully! No problems so far! GE is finicky, and doesn't like being moved. So, I will probably keep it growing in the pot. I will add any changes, good or bad!
My three year old Great Expectations is beautiful, but a very slow grower. I read a gardening hint somewhere that it will grow faster if it is left in a planter to constrict its roots a little and then set the planter in the ground. I have just replanted mine this way (July 2003)and will watch to see if it makes a difference.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, (2 reports) Auburn, Alabama Brookfield, Connecticut Dacula, Georgia Gainesville, Georgia Marietta, Georgia Aurora, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Naperville, Illinois Peoria, Illinois Pontiac, Illinois Washington, Illinois Woodridge, Illinois Elberfeld, Indiana Newburgh, Indiana Barbourville, Kentucky Bordelonville, Louisiana Sumner, Maine Kettering, Maryland Dracut, Massachusetts Dearborn Heights, Michigan Flushing, Michigan Grand Rapids, Michigan Plainwell, Michigan Blaine, Minnesota Arkoe, Missouri Cape May Court House, New Jersey Sewell, New Jersey Bellmore, New York Elbridge, New York Greene, New York Winston-salem, North Carolina Belfield, North Dakota Medora, North Dakota Carlisle, Ohio Coshocton, Ohio Glouster, Ohio Ravenna, Ohio Portland, Oregon Salem, Oregon Ashley, Pennsylvania East Norriton, Pennsylvania Elkton, Virginia Leesburg, Virginia Lexington, Virginia Ames Lake, Washington Inglewood-finn Hill, Washington Kalama, Washington Ellsworth, Wisconsin Lake Lac La Belle, Wisconsin Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin Marion, Wisconsin Minocqua, Wisconsin
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