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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 by the gardening public. Please click on the "Unknown" link and, if you know the originator of any of these plants, please let us know.
2 Zilis, Mark491IllinoisRenowned hosta expert and author of The Hostapedia (2009), The Hosta Handbook (2001) and Field Guide to Hostas (2014), Mark was an early implementer of tissue culture at Walters Gardens and then at his own nurseries in Illinois. He was awarded the Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award in 2001. As of 2023, he has been involved in the introduction or registration of more hostas than anyone in the world. His series introductions inclued "Mountain", "Prairie", "tini" and "Winfield". Four of his hosta introductions have been included in The American Hosta Society Popularity Polls out of only 151 plants that have appeared at least once in the polls. One of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 has been from this originator.
3 Ruh, Peter449OhioOwner of Sunnybrook Farms, Peter (1921-2016) registered a large number of hostas on behalf of himself and many 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 1992 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award. The AHS Display Garden in Tipton, MI is named for him and his wife, Dorothy. Four of his hosta introductions have been included in The American Hosta Society Popularity Polls out of only 151 plants that have appeared at least once in the polls.
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 deceased and living originators. 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. He was the orginator of the "Abba" series. Twelve of his hosta introductions have been included in The American Hosta Society Popularity Polls out of only 151 plants that have appeared at least once in the polls.
9 Linneman, Jeroen264NetherlandsEunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award winner in 2019, Jeroen is a past president of the Dutch Hosta Society. Originator of the very large "Valley's" series of hostas.
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. He introduced a series of hostas whose names all started with the word "A".
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. Randy introduced the "Forest" series of hostas.
12 Kuenster, Rod230IowaOriginator of the "Benedict's", "Cosmic" and "Wicked" series of hostas. Rod has registered several of Herb Benedict's introductions which were in the collection of Audra Wilson who got them from Herb many years ago.
13 Walek, Kevin230VirginiaFormer Hosta Registrar and former AHS President (2003-2005). He was awarded the 2005 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award. Registered many hostas on behalf of others. As registrar, Kevin registered many hostas on behalf of others and this is reflected in the number shown here.
14 Chastain, Mary222TennesseeFormer owner of Lakeside Nursery and winner of Eunice Fishcer Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award in 2007. Introducer of the large "Lakeside" series of hostas. One of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 has been from this originator.
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. One of the top non-U.S. hosta hybridizers.
18 Livingston, Ron189MichiganRetired science teacher and co-creater of the Fraternal Order of Seedy Fellows hybridizing group. He has introduced several hosta series including "Atomic", "Tremont", "Pre" and "Chartreuse".
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. Six of his hosta introductions have been included in The American Hosta Society Popularity Polls out of only 151 plants that have appeared at least once in the polls. Two of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 have been from this originator.
20 King, Herb157WisconsinHybridizer whose garden was on the tour of the 2019 National Convention of The American Hosta Society. He has a very large series of hostas that all begin with the word "King's".
21 Kwick, Charles157WisconsinRetired physical education teacher who has introduced several hosta series including "Epic", "Kiss", "Kwick's", "Lady", "Lord", "Orphan Train" and "Sir".
22 Beilstein, Dr Doug153OhioDoug is a dentist and former AHS President (2011-2013). He was the Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award winner in 2017. He introduced the "Sparkling" series. One of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 has been from this originator.
23 Schwarz, Jim148IowaFormer owner of Jim's Hostas in Iowa and active in the Dubuque Arboretum Society. He introduced the series with names of characters from the Robin Hood fables.
24 Hadrava, Jerry147IowaOwner of Bloom Hill Nursery, Jerry (1931-2007) created the very 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 and originator of the "Fragrant" series.
27 Goodenough, Rick129MassachusettsActive in the New England Hosta Society and has written several articles for The Hosta Journal. He has a series of hostas named for various features and locations along the shoreline of Massachusetts.
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. He introduced the "Eagle Bay" series.
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. Mildred introduced the "Sea" series of hostas.
30 Hansen, Hans119MichiganRenowned hybridizer of several plant species in addition to hostas, he has worked at Shady Oaks Nursery and currently works at Walters Gardens in Michigan. Sixteen of his hosta introductions have been included in The American Hosta Society Popularity Polls out of only 151 plants that have appeared at least once in the polls. This is the most by any individual hosta originator. Five of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 have been from him.
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. One of the 28 Hosta of the Year winners through 2023 has been from this originator.
32 Avent, Tony114North CarolinaOwner of Plant Delights Nursery, Tony is a 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 especially red into hosta flowers. Has Jeff Moore's Hosta Buyers Guide Facebook page. He has introduced serveral hosta series including one based on dinosaurs, another on Wisconsin state parks and a "Hollywood" group of names.
34 Dean, Don109MinnesotaRetired teacher, past president of The AHS (2013-2017) and recipient of the Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award in 2008. He has a "Country" series of hostas.
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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