We have searched our copies of The Hosta Journal for anything that might relate to any of the over 13,300 hosta names in our database. We extracted parts of articles that dealt with historical matters, opinions of well-known hostaphiles, recommendations (positive or negative), lookalike cultivars and the seemingly never ending problem with confusing names.

Where appropriate, we placed a copy of the material on the individual cultivar or species page. We also put the information and quotations on a group of topic pages listed below:

  1. Blue Hostas
  2. 'Blue Mouse Ears'
  3. Early Hosta Cultivars
  4. Fall Bloomers
  5. Flowers
  6. Green Hostas
  7. Halcyon Group
  8. Hosta History
  9. Hybridizing
  1. Japanese Words
  2. Large Hostas
  3. Look-a-Like Hostas
  4. Hosta Names
  5. Non-US Hostas
  6. Photo Essays
  7. Plant Traits
  8. Hosta Series
  9. Small Hostas
  1. Hosta Species
  2. Top Rated Hostas
  3. Unstable Variegation
  4. White Margin Hostas
  5. White Medial Hostas
  6. Yellow Hostas
  7. Yellow Margin Hostas
  8. Yellow Medial Hostas

Warren I. Pollock wrote comments about the many sports of H. 'Blue Mouse Ears' (which he termed BME) in The Hosta Journal (2012 Vol. 43 No. 2). The following is a brief summary of the major points he made about various hosta cultivars in the article.

1) "Besides BME, there's 'Green Mouse Ears'. It's an excellent grower too and should reach BME size...In 2005, Mark Zilis measured the BME clump in the Deckert's garden. The largest leaf size was 3 1/2 inches long by 2 7/8 inches wide (10 sq. in.). Mound height was 8 inches, width 22 inches. So don't expect your BME and 'Green Mouse Ears' to remain mini size after about five-six years, given good growing conditions."

2) "Last year, Mark Zilis registered 'Ruffled Mouse Ears', which has wavy blue-green leaves. Possibly it's 'Dancing Mouse' without variegation."

3) "Jan van den Top reports 'Mighty Mouse' and 'Lucky Mouse' are the same hosta. Also, 'Frosted Mouse Ears' comes up from the ground with plain blue-green leaves. After a month or so, a creamy-white margin develops somewhat more yellowish than others in the variegation group. This is in agreement with Tony Avent's observation that the margin of 'Frosted Mouse Ears' seems to be slightly less white than 'Mighty Mouse'. Recall: 'Frosted Mouse Ears' is from 'Royal Mouse Ears'."

4) "H. 'One Iota', 'Mighty Mouse' and 'Lucky Mouse' emerge in the spring with bright creamy-yellow margins that turn creamy white by summer. All have very similar foliage characteristics, often indistinguishable from each other unless examined carefully for minute yellowish hue difference...H. 'One Iota' and 'Lucky Mouse' appear to be the same, having a bit yellower margin than 'Mighty Mouse'. This would be expected since 'Lucky Mouse' sported from 'One Iota Supreme' that reportedly sported from 'One Iota'."

5) "H. 'Funny Mouse' comes up with a clear white margin that turns creamy or even greenish late in the season. Margins in this variegation group start out yellow and turn creamy yellow."

6) "Jan van den Top reports 'Pure Heart' and 'Desert Mouse' are the same hosta. Also, 'Holy Mouse Ears' comes up with plain blue-green leaves; after a month or so, a creamy-white center develops somewhat more yellow than others in this variegation group. Recall: 'Holy Mouse Ears' is from 'Royal Mouse Ears'."

7) "H. 'Mighty Moe' and 'Desert Mouse' look very similar."

8) "Marco Fransen reports that 'Snow Mouse' is the same as 'Mouse Trap'. The bright-white center emerges in the spring and stays all season. There often is some green speckling or flecks in the white center, either on newer leaves or later in the season. Don't be surprised if you find plain blue-green leaves on both cultivars."

9) "H. 'Royal Mouse Ears' is described as having blue-green foliage with numerous gold and creamy-white streaks throughout the leaf blade. Jan van den Top reports it emerges with plain bluish-green leaves and streaking appears a month or so later. In addition to streaks in the center, also expect distinct creamy margins. Further, don't be surprised if 'Royal Mouse Ears' settles out as a margined-leaved 'Frosted Mouse Ears'. Recall: 'Frosted Mouse Ears' and 'Holy Mouse Ears' originally came from 'Royal Mouse Ears'."

10) "H. 'One Iota Supreme' is a streaked form of 'One Iota', occasionally labeled 'One Iota Streaked'. Jan van den Top says the creamy yellow of 'One Iota Supreme' is less bright than the creamy yellow of 'Royal Mouse Ears', so expect this coloring for 'Blue Mouse Ears Supreme' and 'Mouse Tracks' too...Many hosta aficionados think 'One Iota Supreme', 'Blue Mouse Ears Supreme' and 'Mouse Tracks' are the same. However, I'm not aware of any side-by-side studies."

11) "Shady Characters Nursery describes 'Cat and Mouse' leaves as 'chartreuse interior circled by an uneven blue-green margin. Lighter shades of green appear where the two colors overlap'. The center becomes much brighter and distinct later in the growing season. Also, the margin turns green later in the season. Furthermore, don't be surprised if your 'Cat and Mouse' is not stable, reverting to plain-leaved BME ."

12) "Recently, Marco Fransen introduced 'Dancing Mouse'. Its blue-green leaves have a wavy yellowish-green border that darkens to pale green as the season progresses. He states that the ruffled green as the season progresses. He states that the ruffled margins and unusual color combination make it different from others in the series...(Is 'Dancing Mouse' a variegated 'Ruffled Mouse Ears'?)"

13) "In 2010, Danny Van Eechaute registered 'Mystic Mouse'. Leaves have two shades of blue-green, with the leaf center being somewhat lighter than the margin."

14) "...Hugo Philips has found an interesting BME sport, 'Jumbo Mouse Ears' registered last year. It's larger growing than BME with leaves having an embroidered edge."

Copyright© 2000 -