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No.Originator/RegistrantCultivarsState/Country- - - - - - - - - - - - - About the Originator - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 Unknown1496UnknownThe name of the person or persons who hybridized, found, selected or otherwise originated a hosta cultivar is not always known. Over time, that information is lost or was never known to the gardening public. Pleas click on the "Unknown" link and, if you know the originator of any of these plants, please let us know.
2 Zilis, Mark491IllinoisAuthor of The Hostapedia (2009) and early implementer of tissue culture at his nursery in Illinois. He was awarded the Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award in 2001.
3 Ruh, Peter449OhioOwner of Sunnybrook Farms, Peter (1921-2016) registered many hostas on behalf of himself and other originators. He was awarded the 1984 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award and the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award
4 Benedict, Dr Ralph (Herb)349MichiganA veterinarian and renowned hybridizer, Herb (1913-2004) was awarded the 1984 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award. The AHS Display Garden in Tipton, MI is named for him and his wife, Dorothy.
5 Wade, Van342OhioVan (1930-2017) was owner of Wade and Gatton Nursery and winner of the 2002 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
6 Malloy, Alex337New YorkAn antiquarian and Hosta Master Judge, Alex (1938-2019) had a personal collection of over 3,000 hostas.
7 The American Hosta Society335UnknownThe American Hosta Society has periodically registered "significant" cultivars on behalf of others. The AHS has not actually originated any hostas.
8 Aden, Paul267New YorkEditor of The Hosta Book, Paul (1925-2010) was noted for introducing hundreds of new hostas developed by himself or by others from his nursery, Garden of Aden in New York.
9 Linneman, Jeroen264NetherlandsEunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award winner in 2019, Jeroen is a past president of the Dutch Hosta Society.
10 Elslager, Ed253MichiganDr Elslager (1924-2005) had a PhD in Organic Chemistry and was a renowned hosta hybridizer. The Ed Elslager Hybridizer Society is named for him.
11 Goodwin, Randy239IndianaRetired teacher who is active in the Indianapolis Hosta Society. His garden has been included on 3 National Conventions of The American Hosta Society.
12 Kuenster, Rod230IowaOriginator of the "Cosmic" series and registrant of many hostas on behalf of Herb Benedict.
13 Walek, Kevin230VirginiaFormer Hosta Registrar and former AHS President. He was awarded the 2005 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award. Registered many hostas on behalf of others.
14 Chastain, Mary222TennesseeFormer owner of Lakeside Nursery and winner of Eunice Fishcer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award in 2007.
15 Ward, Dr Dick213OhioDick (1933-2021) was a Medical Doctor and winner of Eunice Fishcer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award in 2010.
16 Ward, Jane213OhioCo-Registrant of many new hostas with her husband, Dick.
17 Van Eechaute, Danny191BelgiumOriginator of the "Flemish" series and many other new cultivars. Top non-U.S. hosta hybridizer by the numbers.
18 Livingston, Ron189MichiganRetired science teacher and co-creater of the Fraternal Order of Seedy Fellows hybridizing group.
19 Solberg, Robert158North CarolinaOwner of Green Hill Farm nursery and co-founder of The American Hosta Growers Association. Awarded Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award and Eunice Fishcer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award.
20 King, Herb157WisconsinHybridizer whose garden was on the tour of the 2019 National Convention of The American Hosta Society.
21 Kwick, Charles157WisconsinRetired physical education teacher.
22 Beilstein, Doug153OhioDoug is a dentist and former AHS President. He was the Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award winner in 2017.
23 Schwarz, Jim148IowaFormer owner of Jim's Hostas in Iowa and active in the Dubuque Arboretum Society.
24 Hadrava, Jerry147IowaOwner of Bloom Hill Nursery, Jerry (1931-2007) created the large "Rosedale" series.
25 Fransen, Marco141NetherlandsOwner with his wife, Joyce, of the Fransen Hosta Nursery. Creator of the "Paradise" series of cultivars.
26 Van den Top, Jan140NetherlandsOwner of Hostaworld Nursery.
27 Goodenough, Rick129MassachusettsActive in the New England Hosta Society and has written several articles for The Hosta Journal.
28 Lydell, Ransom127New YorkOwner of Cooks Nursery and Eagle Bay Gardens since 1981 and has been on the Board of the American Hosta Growers Association.
29 Seaver, Mildred123MassachusettsA pioneer in the world of hostas, Mildred (1913-2011) was known as the "Queen of Hostas". She was awarded Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award in 1988 and Eunice Fishcer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award in 2006.
30 Hansen, Hans119MichiganHybridizer of several plant species, he has worked at Shady Oaks Nurser and currently works at Walters Gardens in Michigan.
31 Walters Gardens119MichiganOne of the world's largest producers of herbaceous perennials and located in Zeeland, Michigan. Mark Zilis started their tissue culture lab in 1976. Renowned hybridizer Hans Hansen now works for Walters.
32 Avent, Tony114North CarolinaOwner of Plant Delights Nursery, well known plant explorer and creator of the Juniper Level Botanical Gardens in North Carolina. Winner of Eunice Fischer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award in 2015.
33 Moore, Jeff113WisconsinSpecializes in bringing new colors to hosta flowers. Has Jeff Moore's Hosta Buyers Guide Facebook page.
34 Dean, Don109MinnesotaRetired teacher, past president of The AHS and recipient of the Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award in 2008.
35 Miller, Jeff105WisconsinJeff (1960-2021) and his wife, Penny, owned the Land of Giants Hosta Farm. They originated the "Giantland" series.

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