the original name for WU was XANADU EMPRESS WU,,,,when walters gardens contracted to propagate that plant they insisted on dropping the prefix XANADU,,,,WALTERD DOESNT LIKE PREFIXIS ON PLANTS.
.indianabob growere of fine weeds and a few hosta if u like wu u will love amos

I like Amos, looks like it has a bit of blue.

who is indianabob?

The guy with the Hostas, right above my post.


indianabob

I don't see the Amos hosta in the database, am I missing it? I wanted to add it to my want list.

I added it. I hope. Check back in a few hours.

It's in there now!!

Sue Empress Wu is everywhere now selling for less than 10.00 Try Gilbert H. Wild & Sons 10.00 each 4 /30.00. They have loads of popular hosta at darn good prices!

Any history on 'Amos' @indianabob? Looks like a b(r)ute!

Evan,

Here's what I found on the hostalibrary website. I do like it, wonder if it's available?

http://myhostas.be/db/view/Amo...

Thanks Rose that's a good explanation. All this time visiting the library and I never noticed the MyHostas link!

Evan,

That's easy enough to do when you're busy looking at all the beautiful pictures!

Rose

Empress Wu has been a disappointment for me. In the last three years, it has grown very slowly, plus, I do believe it is mutating. Mutations are not always the same size as the parent. Time will tell.

I should not have bought it.

What causes a mutation? you mean it reverts back to something in it's parentage? or?

Mutation is adaptation to its environment, even when the environment is temporary. Mutation occurs at the cellular level and the mutation continues with the creation of future cells. Sometimes the mutation is not very visible until many more cells have developed. It takes many years to develop a hosta that is going through a mutation.

Chemicals in the environment cause mutation. Farmers spray their crops, chemicals escape airborne or through the water way, and eventually land on other plants.

The sun causes a lot of mutation the same way that it causes discoloration on our skin, temporary or permanent. The sun also causes cancer which alters cells causing disfiguration or death. The same way the sun mutates hostas causing a different appearance. Some are attractive and those are marketed, while others are ugly and the latter are herbicide.

About 80% of hostas, mostly variegated, on the market are mutants. Other are seedlings, and a miniscule amount are species.

I hope I have explained this clearly.

I do not think there is a Princess Wu. (think HostasDirect had a typo. Sent a e-mail to the owner alerting him of the possible error earlier this late winter).

YES, Xanadu Empress Wu is the same as Empress Wu. While the Xanadu was dropped probably for marketability I also suspect it was dropped due to cultural conflict as well. "Xanadu" is Greek mythology and Empress Wu is Chinese history (only female EMPEROR [not Empress] of China).

It was good to get information about XEW growth rate for it maturing in 6 years. Purchased 3 of them from HostasDirect late last summer and they took off growing like gangbusters. (tries to look innocent; maybe it had to do something with sheep shit). Looking forward to seeing if they come up (there's gotta be one in three chance).

Peter Kelley
St. Paul, MN USA

Great information, keep us posted Peter. I would love to see a picture if you get a chance.

I love 'Empress Wu'! Specifically the prominent veining, and the way the huge leaves are layered and present such a smooth flowing effect. The first picture is my own 'Empress Wu' and the second picture is my friend's plant, which is the most gorgeous 'Empress Wu' that I personally have seen! My Empress escaped with its life (I think, it hasn't emerged yet) this winter. The huge tree branch above it fell to the ground and landed just in front of it! Right on top of 'Jewel of the Nile', but fortunately I have another Jewel elsewhere in my Hosta Glade.

That is very pretty! I never noticed the layered effect, I was blinded by the size and did not spend much time looking at it. LOL.

Very nice! I'm not doing something right, cause my EW is dinky.