Published by Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson | Hosta Shade Gardening Podcast
Leisure
Home & Garden
A Hosta and shade gardening podcast for growing beautiful, low-light landscapes. Sisters Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson explore Hosta varieties, care, shade garden design, and companion plants that thrive where the sun doesn’t. Get practical tips on shade perennials, Hosta cultivation, slug and deer resistance, plus the joy of building a Hosta garden. Featuring weekly interviews with top hybridizers, nurseries, and collectors across the country. New episodes every Saturday during the growing season.
Hosta lovers, have you ever been told that your garden should be "all native"? Or wondered where hostas fit into today's growing native plant movement? In this thought-provoking episode of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast , Betsy and Mandy sit down with native plant pioneer Neil Diboll , President of Prairie Nursery in Westfield, Wisconsin, and one of North America's leading voices on native landscaping. Neil has spent more than four decades helping gardeners understand how native plants can create beautiful, sustainable landscapes while supporting pollinators, birds, and local ecosystems. Together, we tackle the often-heated conversation surrounding native plants vs. non-native plants vs. invasive species . Are ornamental plants really the villains some social media commenters make them out to be? How should Hosta enthusiasts respond when the native plant debate shows up online? And is there a way to celebrate both Hostas and native plants in the same garden? Neil shares practical advice for gardeners who want to: Understand the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants Add native plants without tearing out an established shade garden Choose native trees that provide beauty, habitat, and shade Incorporate native wildflowers and groundcovers alongside hostas Create a more wildlife-friendly landscape without sacrificing aesthetics Select native plants that thrive in shady conditions Whether you're a dedicated Hosta collector, a shade gardening enthusiast, or simply curious about the native plant movement, this episode offers a balanced, practical discussion that moves beyond the social media arguments and focuses on creating gardens that are both beautiful and ecologically valuable. Topics discussed: native plants, Hostas, shade gardening, native trees, pollinator gardens, prairie restoration, invasive species, woodland natives, sustainable landscaping, wildlife gardening, Prairie Nursery, Neil Diboll, and gardening for biodiversity. #HostaLaVistaPodcast #Hostas #NativePlants #ShadeGardening #NeilDiboll #PrairieNursery #PollinatorGarden #NativeTrees #WoodlandGarden #GardenPodcast #SustainableLandscaping
Do your shade gardens look amazing in June but tired and empty by midsummer? Wondering how to keep color, texture, blooms, butterflies, and hummingbirds coming all season long—even when deer and rabbits threaten your hard work? This week on Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy Peterson and Mandy Olson welcome gardening expert, author, Master Gardener, YouTuber, and Bricks 'n Blooms founder Stacy Ling. Featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest, Fine Gardening, Garden Design, Horticulture Magazine, USA Today, Birds & Blooms, People Magazine, Live with Kelly & Mark , and HGTV, Stacy helps gardeners create beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes that thrive throughout the growing season. In this episode, Stacy shares strategies for creating lush, layered gardens that never look boring. Whether you garden in deep shade, part shade, or full sun, you'll learn how to combine perennials, annuals, foliage plants, and flowering plants for continuous interest from spring through fall. We tackle two of gardeners' biggest frustrations: deer and rabbits. Stacy shares practical approaches to protect your garden while creating a landscape that's beautiful, welcoming, and full of life. Stacy also reveals the companion planting techniques and design principles she uses to keep her own New Jersey gardens looking magazine-worthy all season long. In this episode you'll discover: • The secret to keeping a shade garden attractive from spring through fall • Companion plants that pair beautifully with hostas and other shade perennials • How to mix annuals and perennials for nonstop color and interest • Easy ways to attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators • What actually works when deer and rabbits damage your garden • The biggest mistakes gardeners make when designing shade beds • How to create layers, texture, and structure that look great all season • Stacy's favorite plants for extending the gardening season We also discuss Stacy's journey from attorney to one of gardening's most recognizable online voices, the growth of Bricks 'n Blooms, her bestselling gardening books, and her upcoming release, Filling Your Home with Life: A No-Fail Guide to Styling Your Space with the Perfect Plants , arriving October 6, 2026. Whether you're growing Hostas, building a pollinator garden, battling deer, or looking for practical garden design ideas, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Follow Stacy Ling and Bricks 'n Blooms: Website: https://stacyling.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BricksNBlooms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksnblooms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bricksnblooms Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bricksnblooms TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bricksnblooms Follow Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast: Website: https://hostalavista.org YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hostalavistapodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hostalavistapodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mandoziz Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/231XECpOogYIlghZQ1EPzg Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hosta-la-vista/id1817318895 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hosta-la-vista-278517713 Email: hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com Search terms: shade gardening, hosta companion plants, deer-resistant plants, rabbit-resistant plants, pollinator gardens, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, perennial gardening, annual flowers, low-maintenance landscaping, garden design, shade perennials, four-season interest, Bricks 'n Blooms, Stacy Ling. #ShadeGardening #Hostas #CompanionPlants #DeerResistantPlants #PollinatorGarden #ButterflyGarden #HummingbirdGarden #PerennialGarden #GardenDesign #GardeningTips #BricksNBlooms #StacyLing #HostaLaVistaPodcast
Ever wondered how new Hostas are created? How hybridizers choose parents, make crosses, evaluate seedlings, and decide which plants are worthy of registration? In this special "Best of Season 1" episode of Hosta la Vista, we're bringing together some of the most respected voices in Hosta hybridizing: David Teager, Olga Petryszyn, Don Rawson, and David Bowe. Whether you're a longtime Hosta collector or someone who's been curious about creating your very first hybrid, this episode walks you through the entire process—from collecting pollen and making your first cross to growing seedlings and discovering that one special plant that could become the next great Hosta introduction via tissue culture. You'll hear practical advice, hard-earned lessons, memorable stories, and the unique philosophies that have guided these accomplished breeders throughout their hybridizing journeys. Together, these four guests have introduced dozens of beloved cultivars and helped shape the future of Hosta breeding. Topics include: • How to get started hybridizing Hostas • Choosing pod and pollen parents • Growing seedlings and evaluating results • What makes a seedling worth keeping • How tissue culture works • Advice for aspiring Hosta hybridizers Want to learn even more about Hosta hybridizing? Be sure to visit David Teager's YouTube Channel , where he shares educational videos and insights from his years of experience as a hybridizer. If you've ever dreamed of creating your own Hosta, this is the perfect place to start. Questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com . Vist our website at hostalavista.org Follow Hosta la Vista on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for weekly conversations about Hostas, shade gardening, and the people who make this community so special.
Horticultural therapy is changing the way we think about health, healing, and well-being. In this episode of Hosta la Vista , hosts Betsy and Mandy talk with Chris VandenBosche, a Pittsburgh-area Master Gardener and registered horticultural therapist, about what horticultural therapy is, how practitioners are credentialed, and why working with plants can support people in many different stages of life. They’re also joined by Alisa Bowe Lenhardt, a member of the recreational therapy team at Masonic Village outside Pittsburgh, who shares how her team uses plant-based activities to bring comfort, engagement, and connection to the people they serve. The conversation also touches on Good Nature: The New Science of How Nature Improves Our Health by Kathy Willis and Teepa Snow’s helpful dementia care resources for caregivers and families available on YouTube. If you’re a gardener, caregiver, health professional, or simply curious about how horticultural therapy works, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration. For more information about horticultural therapy, or to find a registered horticultural therapist near you, visit ahta.org . *trigger warning: discussions on suicide* Brought to you by Green Hill Hostas In the Country Garden and Gifts. Hit the + sign to follow the pod and stay up to date on new episodes. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and visit hostalavista.org .
In this episode, we take you inside the 2026 American Hosta Society Convention in Dublin, Ohio (June 10–13), with firsthand insights from attendees Cheryl Lockhart, Andy Marlow, Susan Ragsdale, and Julie Lewter. Whether you attended or missed it, this recap covers everything hosta lovers care about. We dive into stunning garden tours, standout moments from the leaf show, and what made this year’s auction and awards so memorable. You’ll also hear highlights from keynote speakers, behind-the-scenes stories from “Hostatality,” and a few unexpected hotel moments that made the experience even more fun. Plus, we discuss exciting new hosta introductions coming soon and share a preview of what to expect at the 2027 American Hosta Society Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you’re passionate about hostas, shade gardening, or plant conventions, this episode is packed with inspiration, insights, and community highlights.
Join Hosta la Vista this week for Part 2 of our exclusive interview with renowned hosta hybridizer Doug Ruff — the breeder behind some of the most sought-after hosta cultivars on the market, including Hosta- Bloodline, Light the Match, Electric Fire, Violet Blue, and many more. Doug is at the forefront of hosta breeding and hybridizing, pioneering work to bring vibrant anthocyanin coloration and "blushing" traits up into hosta leaves. In this behind-the-scenes episode, he opens the gates to his Minnesota hosta growing operation and shares the techniques that have made his breeding program so successful. In this episode, you'll learn: The growing medium Doug uses to produce healthy, vigorous hostas How he forces plants to emerge early so different cultivars bloom simultaneously for hybridizing Why Hosta ventricosa remains an essential tool in his breeding program How he manages drought stress and keeps hostas thriving during dry summers His proven method for overwintering potted hostas above ground in Minnesota's harsh climate The parent plants behind some of his most famous hosta introductions Which pod and pollen parents produce the best blushing hosta offspring How he uses artificial intelligence (AI) to track anthocyanin expression, analyze color traits, and plan future hosta crosses If you've ever wondered how red, purple, and yellow coloration makes its way into hosta leaves, this episode offers a fascinating look at the years of patience, experimentation, and innovation behind it. Shop Doug Ruff's Hostas: Interested in adding Doug Ruff's blushing hosta varieties to your garden? Visit our sponsor, In the Country Garden and Gifts , the exclusive source for many of Doug's hosta introductions. Subscribe & Connect: Click Follow (the + sign) on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode of Hosta la Vista . If you enjoy the show, we'd love a review — it helps other gardeners find us! Questions, comments, or guest suggestions? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com Follow Hosta la Vista on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok , or visit us at hostalavista.org
In Part 1 of this special podcast episode, we visit Hosta hybridizer Doug Ruff at his home for an exclusive, nearly two-hour tour of his private breeding program. Best known as the creator of the wildly popular and hard-to-find Bloodline Hosta, Doug gives us a rare behind-the-scenes look at the plants, techniques, and growing setup that have made his work so respected among hosta collectors. How he keeps his plants watered even amongst the upcoming El Niño this Fall. But red is only the beginning. Doug has mastered the art of anthocyanins—the pigments responsible for the blushing color in hosta leaves—and he shares his passion for pushing hosta color further than ever before. From long-lasting red tones to exciting work in purples, oranges, and beyond, this episode reveals the artistry, experimentation, and relentless pursuit of perfection behind Doug’s hybrids. Doug is an intensely private person, making this a rare and remarkable look inside his hosta program. If you love hostas, rare plants, plant breeding, or innovative garden hybrids, you won’t want to miss this one. This is Part 1 of 2—be sure to tune in next Saturday for Part 2. Visit his website at hostaoriginals.com to learn more. Tune in to Hosta La Vista wherever you listen to podcasts. Not sure where to start? Visit us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. Have a burning question or a comment? write to us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com For listeners interested in buying Doug Ruff's plants, visit inthecountrygardenandgifts.com and enter code PODCAST at checkout for free shipping on orders over $100. Good through August 31, 2026.
What exactly is a “Super El Niño,” and should gardeners across the United States be paying attention? In this episode of Hosta la Vista , sisters Mandy and Betsy sit down with Pam Knox, agricultural climatologist and Director of the Weather Network at the University of Georgia, to unpack the headlines surrounding the possible 2026–2027 Super El Niño and what it could mean for gardening across the U.S. this fall, winter, and into next spring. Will your region experience unusual warmth, heavier rainfall, drought, snow, flooding, or an early spring? Could shifting weather patterns affect planting timing, moisture levels, frost dates, or overall garden success? Pam helps us separate hype from reality as we explore how El Niño weather patterns affect the United States, why meteorologists are watching this developing climate event closely, and what gardeners should (and shouldn’t) be paying attention to heading into the 2026–2027 gardening season. From temperature and precipitation trends to regional growing conditions, this conversation offers practical insight for gardeners who want to better understand the long-range weather outlook. If you’ve been hearing news stories about the Super El Niño, wondering how El Niño affects gardening, or trying to figure out what the 2026–2027 weather forecast for gardeners could look like in your part of the country, this episode is for you. Topics include:2 What a Super El Niño actually is How El Niño affects weather across the U.S. Possible gardening impacts for fall, winter, and spring Regional weather patterns gardeners should watch Temperature shifts, precipitation trends, frost timing, and planting windows
Worried your hosta might be sick? Wondering if those strange streaks, spots, or browning leaves are Hosta Virus X (HVX), tobacco rattle virus, nematodes, or something else? This episode is for every hosta gardener. This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy are joined by Brett Arenz, Director of the Plant Disease Clinic at the University of Minnesota, to talk all things hosta disease, hosta viruses, and plant diagnostics. We cover: Hosta Virus X (HVX) symptoms, diagnosis, and how to recognize suspicious patterns in hosta leaves How to test for HVX and when you should test a plant Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) and how it differs from HVX Foliar nematodes in hostas — what damage looks like and how to spot the signs Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and other diseases affecting hostas Common issues that can look like hosta disease including environmental stress, frost damage, herbicide injury, and nutrient problems How to send hosta samples for plant disease testing Why gardeners should contact their local Extension office or land-grant university for in-state plant diagnostic testing Brett shares practical, science-based advice for diagnosing sick hostas, understanding plant pathogens, and protecting your shade garden from disease. Want to test your hostas at home? Order Agdia plant testing kits here: Agdia Testing Kits Follow Hosta La Vista on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode about hostas, shade gardening, and the people who love them.
Every community has its founders. Its visionaries. Its quietly devoted souls who showed up, dug in, and gave everything to something they loved. But someone has to remember them — and someone has to tell their story. In this rare and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Dr. Warren I. Pollock — scholar, writer, and one of the most beloved figures in the American Hosta Society — for a conversation that is as much about people as it is about plants. Warren reflects on a lifetime of friendship with the icons who built the hosta world: Alex Summers, John and Gertrude Wister, Eunice Fisher, Gunther Stark, Russ O'Hara, David Teager, Don Rawson, Gail Hartley Alley , and the legendary Ben Zonneveld of the Netherlands — among many others whose passion and dedication shaped a community that endures to this day. He also pays heartfelt tribute to the late Marilyn Romenesko — devoted horticulturist, past President of the Delaware Valley Hosta Society , and a force of warmth and excellence in the hosta world — whom Warren remembers with tremendous fondness and respect. These are the people who were in the room where it happened — and Warren was right there with them. This isn't a technical episode. It's a tribute. It's a memory. It's one of the most moving conversations we've ever had the privilege of recording, and we think you'll feel that from the very first minute. Topics covered in this episode: The early days of the American Hosta Society and the remarkable people behind it Warren's personal friendships with the pioneers who made it all happen Stories, memories, and tributes to the legends of the hosta world A special remembrance of Marilyn Romenesko and her legacy in the Delaware Valley Hosta Society The international reach of the hosta community, including friendships across the globe Gail Hartley Alley's vital role in hosta registration and record-keeping How passion, friendship, and community built one of horticulture's most devoted societies If you love hostas, you love the people who loved them first. Don't miss this one. Perfect for: American Hosta Society members, hosta collectors, Delaware Valley Hosta Society members, shade gardeners, perennial plant enthusiasts, garden history lovers, garden podcast fans Audio credit: Music by Tomasz Redman and gnate-saint .
Meet Christina Brinkmann — the passionate hosta hybridizerfrom Gütersloh, Germany, who has been quietly revolutionizing the hosta world since 2013. With over 2,900 hosta varieties growing in her garden alongside thousands of seedlings, Christina is one of Europe's most exciting and innovative breeders, and in this episode, she brings her warmth, knowledge, and infectious love of the plant straight to your earbuds. Christina is known for two distinct lines. Her Chris'Hostas showcase her love of striking red and purple petioles, streaked foliage, and long-leafed varieties — including standouts like Chris' China Star , Chris' Tropical Sundown , Chris' Red Lightning , Chris' Darkest Purple , and Chris' Admin , a touching tribute to the friends who help manage her Facebook group. Her German Hostas carry a very special distinction: they are all tetraploids — plants with four sets ofchromosomes instead of the usual two — giving them thicker, more rubbery leaves, more intense colors, and greater resistance to both frost and sun. German Yellow Dragon , a Proud Dragon seedling, was the first of her tets tohit the market, and her German line has only grown from there. Fransen Hostas, one of Europe's premier hosta nurseries, proudly carries her work, as well as Josh from In the Country Garden and Gifts as well as Uniquely Hostas. In this conversation, Christina opens up about what drew herto tetraploid breeding, why she loves red petioles and streaked hostas, how she selects which seedlings are worthy of a name, and what it's like to introduce European-bred cultivars to collectors around the world. She is as delightful asher plants — and trust us, that's saying something. Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to follow, subscribe, orleave us a review on your favorite podcast platform — it means the world to us and helps more hosta lovers find the show! Find us and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram at @Hosta La Vista Podcast . Have a question, a story, or a hosta you want to talk about?We'd love to hear from you at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com . Tune in next week for another episode celebrating the plant that brings us all together — the beloved FriendshipPlant! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Green Hill Hostas Green Hill Hostas has been introducing exceptional new hosta cultivars to collectors and the nursery trade for over 40years. If you're looking for rare, carefully selected, and quality-grown plants, Bob is your guy. Visit them at HostaHosta.com . Hornbaker Gardens A true destination garden center, arboretum, and botanicalgarden nestled in the Illinois countryside near Princeton. With over 400 hosta varieties, a legendary Hosta Ravine, and stunning display gardens, Hornbaker Gardens is a must-visit pilgrimage for any serious shade gardener. Visit themat HornbakerGardens.com . In The Country Garden & Gifts Located in Independence, Iowa, In The Country specializes inhostas and succulents with a deep love for the collector and the curious alike. They carry an exceptional and carefully curated selection — including Christina Brinkmann's own cultivars! Explore their catalog at InTheCountryGardenAndGifts.com .
Only hosta people would find this perfectly normal. Pull into a working auto body shop on a back road in Walworth, Wisconsin — the smell of primer in the air, cars in the bays — and then walk around back to discover one of the most breathtaking hosta arboretums in the Midwest. That's exactly what awaits at Al's Auto Body & Arboretum ( hostafest.net ), where owner and self-described "owner, operator, weeder, waterer, planter, potter, and slug-slayer" Al Ritchey has spent over three decades quietly building a five-acre hosta paradise beneath a canopy of oak, hickory, and walnut trees. This might be our quirkiest episode yet — and that is really saying something for a hosta podcast. But here's the thing: this is exactly what hosta people do . They carve out a niche in the most unlikely of places, and before you know it, 500+ varieties are growing behind the shop and Master Gardeners are busing in from across the region. Al is a natural conversationalist with a great story — a lifelong car guy who started planting hostas in 1991 just to landscape around his shop, and never stopped. Today, he calls the arboretum his therapy: "If I get frustrated in the shop, I take it out on the weeds." His first introduction, Compadre , mutated from the Emerald Tiara family over 20 years ago after contact with a pre-emergent herbicide. Al watched it carefully for years to make sure it held true, and named it Compadre — a "friendship plant" — before finally releasing it for sale. He waited nearly 20 years to introduce it, which tells you everything you need to know about this man's patience and his standards. But the showstopper? Burlesque — a sport of the beloved Strip Tease hosta, and Al's most spectacular introduction yet. Worth serious money in the hosta world, Burlesque cannot be tissue cultured, which means the only people who own it got it directly from Al himself. This is a collector's plant, full stop. If you're anywhere near the Lake Geneva area this spring, mark your calendar: Hosta Fest 2025 — celebrating 25 years — runs May 24–25 from 9am–5pm , May 26 (Memorial Day) from 9am–2pm , and May 31 & June 1 from 9am–5pm . Admission and parking are free, and there are over 450 hosta varieties on display with at least 175 for sale, including large specimen plants. No one leaves empty-handed. 📍 Al's Auto Body & Arboretum | W6866 N Walworth Rd, Walworth, WI | hostafest.net | (262) 275-2800
Welcome to a special midweek episode of Hosta La Vista for hosta lovers, shade gardeners, perennial enthusiasts, plant parents, cut flower fans, and anyone who finds joy in beautiful gardens. The countdown is on for the upcoming American Hosta Society Ohio Convention happening June 11–13 in Dublin, Ohio, and we’re joined by longtime hosta enthusiast, hybridizer, and organizing committee member Doug Beilstein to share an insider preview of one of the gardening world’s most anticipated summer weekends. Still on the fence about attending? This episode might convince you to go. Doug gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming, including 14 spectacular tour gardens filled with inspiration for hosta lovers, shade gardeners, perennial collectors, landscape enthusiasts, and anyone who loves seeing how passionate gardeners design their spaces. If you enjoy garden tours, open gardens, botanical travel, or finding new ideas for your own yard, these gardens alone are worth the trip. We also talk about one of the weekend’s biggest highlights: the Thursday night BBQ at the home of Jeanne and Dick Barbee—a gathering full of plants, stories, friendship, and the kind of garden magic that happens when passionate plant people get together. But this episode goes far beyond the convention. Doug shares stories from his fascinating journey in horticulture, including starting a blueberry farm with his brother, meeting icons, and becoming one of the hobby’s respected hybridizers. We talk about some of his many hosta introductions over the years, including favorites like World Cup , Cup of Grace , Leapin’ Lizard , and Road Rage , along with the stories and inspiration behind them. Gardeners, perennial lovers, and plant geeks alike will enjoy Doug’s insights into plant breeding, hybridizing, and what it takes to create memorable plants that stand the test of time in real gardens. Doug also reflects on his memories of legendary hosta figures, including Mary Chastain of Lakeside Hostas, Van Wade and shares stories about the friendships and experiences that shaped his gardening life. Whether you grow hostas, perennials, cut flowers, cottage garden favorites, or simply love listening to gardening podcasts while working in the yard, this episode is packed with garden stories, plant inspiration, and plenty of laughs. In this episode: • A preview of the 2026 Ohio Hosta Convention in Dublin, Ohio • Details on 14 inspiring tour gardens • The Thursday BBQ at Jeanne & Dick Barbee’s home • Stories behind famous hosta introductions like World Cup and Road Rage • Conversations about hybridizing, perennial gardening, and shade plants • Doug’s blueberry farm beginnings, naming hostas • Memories of hosta history and the people who shaped the hobby Love hostas, shade gardening, perennial gardening, cut flower gardens, plant collecting, flower farming, horticulture, or garden travel? You’re in the right place. Still thinking about attending? Registration is open now at hostaconvention.org . Follow Hosta La Vista so you never miss an episode featuring hosta growers, hybridizers, garden personalities, and the joy of building a beautiful garden. Visit our website at hostalavista.org
If you've ever grown Guacamole, Curly Fries, or First Frost, you've already met Bob Solberg's work. In this Season 2 premiere of Hosta La Vista, we sit down with the legendary hybridizer behind Green Hill Hostas — a nursery that grew from a backyard passion project into one of the most respected names in hosta breeding worldwide. Bob has introduced around 100 hosta cultivars to the market over his career, and he's still as excited about the future of hostas as ever. In this conversation he shares what the hybridizing process actually looks like, the story behind some of his most beloved varieties, his friendship with fellow hosta legend Loleta Powell, and what he thinks the next generation of growers needs to know. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a new plant parent who just fell down the hosta rabbit hole or curious about starting your own breeding program — there's something here for you. Topics covered: How Bob Solberg hybridizes hostas and what he looks for in a new cultivar The stories behind Guacamole, Curly Fries, and First Frost How Green Hill Hostas grew from backyard to global nursery Bob's friendship with Loleta Powell What's next for hosta breeding — and why the best may be yet to come Advice for new and younger growers getting into hostas Follow or subscribe on Spotify, Youtube or Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and share with a fellow plant lover to help us grow. Find us on Instagram and Facebook at hosta la vista podcast. Drop us a comment, say hello, and let us know what you'd like to hear next. Remember, you can always email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com .
Hosta Vista Podcast — Season 2 premieres MAY 9TH! Every Saturday all summer long, your favorite hosta and gardening podcast is back with new episodes featuring plant experts, nursery owners, landscape designers, and disease specialists. If you're a plant parent who started with a monstera and is ready to take your passion from indoor to outdoor, this is your next obsession. Hostas are the ultimate shade garden plant — and we have the experts to prove it. Season 2 guests include hosta expert Bob Solberg, Christina Brinkmann, Al Ritchey, and Dr. Warren Pollock — plus convention coverage, storytellers, and so much more. We can't wait for you to hear it all. Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned hosta collector, there's something here for every plant lover. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode — just hit the + (follow) button in the corner to get notified the moment new episodes drop. Find Hosta Vista Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Threads. Questions? Email us at HostalaVistapodcast@gmail.com Music by Tomasz Redman
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.pdf Topics covered: How to protect hostas from frost using cardboard boxes Growing and selling hosta seeds Overwintering hosta seedlings Designing a multi-habitat garden with shade and sun Seasonal hosta care tips for fall Contributing to the AHS e-Newsletter Subscribe 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 gardens Growing hostas and shade plants under trees How Sebright Gardens grew from a backyard project to a destination nursery Curating 1,000+ hosta varieties alongside ferns and epimediums What to expect when visiting Sebright Gardens in Oregon's Willamette Valley Shipping plants across state lines — what's possible and how it works Shade garden design inspiration from the Pacific Northwest 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.
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 Canada The AHS hosta garden at Botanica in Wichita, Kansas Editing The Hosta Journal — behind the scenes of a world class plant publication The Wichita Hosta Society and shade gardening in the Great Plains Favorite hosta cultivars and what makes a standout shade garden Building community through the American Hosta Society display garden program 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.
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 destination Curating 700+ hosta varieties and the strategy behind exclusive offerings Running a family nursery with heart — balancing mail order and in-person events The stories behind Josh's favorite plants and what excites him about what's coming Why In The Country Garden & Gifts is a Midwest road trip worth planning What's next for Josh Spece and the future of hosta collecting and breeding Don'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.
