I would like to acquire a red petioled hosta for my garden and am looking for suggestions. One I'm considering is Raspberry Sundae but have been told it's a slow grower so I wonder if there is a better choice. Designer Genes is another I thought is quite attractive. I would prefer something that is small- med in size and that will be a fairly vigorous grower. Thanks for any suggestions!

This is 'Vivacious'... Red petioles and streaked foliage! What more could you ask for?

Oh, very nice Rose! And I do want a streaker, so that would be best of both worlds. I'll have to check and see if it's available at any of my sources. Thanks!

That 'Vivacious' is lovely.

The reg-legged hostas that I have are:

'Cherry Tart' - mine looked a bit bedraggled last year as it got too much sun after a tree was removed and I had to move it.


'Island Breeze' was new to me last season and I think it may become a stunner. I've also got 'Paradise Island', but it's not doing well for me.


'Katsuragawa Beni'


'Fire Island' early in the season is a stunner.


A new one to me Sept 2014, but hard to find as it's patented and the originator pulled the plug on it is 'Purple Heart'. The red petioles are really dark - almost black.


My 'Raspberry Sundae' finally decided to grow this year but it was in too much sun because we lost a tree and the colours got faded. I've had it about 5 years.


The Razor's Edge'


'Red October' has very red legs, but they are hard to see because the foliage droops down and covers them.

More to ponder!

Perhaps not the place to ponder this but...
About 4 years ago now, there was talk that Terra Nova had developed a hosta with red leaves. They were looking to find a way to make it infertile so that they would have control of the red genes. I have tried to find out mor info but there doesn't seem to be much out there.Does anyone here have more info?

I have seen pics of a variety called First Blush, supposedly the first Hosta with red leaves. You can see it at Naylor Creek's Hosta. Sorry I don't know how to do a link. As far as your question re fertility and genetics I have no idea.

I think First Blush is from Solberg. I want to get one but I'm going to wait to see how others like theirs. It sounds like it could be a touchy one, and I've had several of those!

A lot of the genetics on some of the new ones is being kept a deep, dark secret. Same with 'Purple Heart' above. It was a Terra Nova introduction available for only a short time.

One of the first red stemmed varieties I acquired was Reptilian. Once it develops mature foliage which is kind of wrinkled and crinkled it is a very neat/interesting plant. Fore me it is a medium and it is well-named.

Tequila Sunrise is a nice yellow with long red legs.

I like the tall dark scapes of Ebony Towers. It is hard to miss while touring the gardens.

Love the look of Reptilian; I have it on my list. Tequila Sunrise looks very attractive too; I like that pop of yellow in the garden.

ViolaAnn said:That 'Vivacious' is lovely.

The reg-legged hostas that I have are:
'Fire Island' early in the season is a stunner.


The Razor's Edge'


'Red October' has very red legs, but they are hard to see because the foliage droops down and covers them.

Quote:(modified quote to highlight those I really Like) Cdssister)
These are ones I wish I had in my garden..