Big changes are coming for Uniquely Hostas! In this episode of Hosta la Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, we sit down with Justin and Andrea Geske to discuss an exciting new chapter for their business as they prepare for a major move this September.

Justin shares the story of how he and Andrea came to own Uniquely Hostas and reflects on the incredible mentorship and friendship he shared with legendary Hosta hybridizer Jeff Miller of Land of the Giants. Their relationship began when Justin was still in high school and was given the opportunity to hybridize under Jeff's guidance—a partnership that helped shape his passion for Hosta breeding and growing.

We also dive into the Geskes' impressive hosta seedling program, discuss which Hostas are currently in tissue culture, and talk about what it takes to bring exciting new Hosta introductions to gardeners and collectors.

Andrea joins the conversation to share the success of her popular WhatNot sales, and the couple recounts the devastating June storm that toppled a 100-year-old oak tree on their property. Rather than viewing it as a loss, they found a creative and inspiring way to repurpose the wreckage.

Whether you're interested in Hosta hybridizing, tissue culture, growing rare Hostas, the history of Land of the Giants, or simply want to hear what's next for one of the hobby's most exciting nurseries, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and surprises.

Topics Covered:

• Uniquely Hostas' upcoming move and future plans
• Hosta hybridizing and seedling development
• Hostas currently in tissue culture
• Jeff Miller's mentorship and Land of the Giants history
• Andrea Geske's WhatNot Hosta sales
• Storm damage and creative garden solutions
• The future of Uniquely Hostas

Don't miss this candid conversation with two passionate Hosta growers whose next adventure is just beginning.

To learn more about Uniquely Hostas, shop their hostas, and follow along as they begin this exciting new chapter, visit their website and follow them on social media. https://www.uniquelyhostas.com/

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Have a question, topic suggestion, or guest recommendation? We'd love to hear from you!

Hosta la Vista, Baby!

Ever wonder how thousands of your favorite Hostas make their way from a single plant into gardens across the country? This week on Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, we're joined by Rob Mortko, owner of Made in the Shade Tissue Culture Lab, President of the Midwest Regional Hosta Society, frequent Hosta convention speaker, and dedicated Hosta sport hunter.

Rob takes us inside the fascinating world of Hosta tissue culture (TC), explaining how the process works, why growers rely on it, and the advantages it offers for producing healthy, consistent plants. He also shares some of the challenges and drawbacks of tissue culture, helping gardeners understand both sides of this important propagation method.

Along the way, we chat about Hosta sports, Hosta conventions, and the future of Hosta introductions. Rob even gives listeners a sneak peek at several exciting Hostas that could be headed to the market in 2027.

Of course, no visit from Rob would be complete without a little fun. We put his Kansas knowledge to the test and discover whether he can survive a trip through the Sunflower State!

Whether you're a Hosta collector, hybridizer, grower, or simply curious about how new Hostas are produced, this episode is packed with insights you won't hear anywhere else.

In this episode:

• How Hosta tissue culture works
• Benefits and drawbacks of tissue culture
• The role of TC in the Hosta industry
• Hunting for Hosta sports
• Midwest Regional Hosta Society updates
• Future Hosta introductions expected in 2027
• A Kansas-themed game segment with Rob

Subscribe, follow, and share with your favorite Hosta-loving friends. And if you enjoy the show, leave us a review and help more gardeners discover the friendship plant!

Hosta la Vista, Baby!

What started with a Father's Day gift has grown into one of the Midwest's most beloved Hosta destinations.

In this episode, Betsy and Mandy welcome nearly the entire Giese family—Mike, Kelly, Michael, Christina, Carisa, Kyle, and even a few grandkids—from The Hosta Stop Gardens in Plover, Wisconsin. Together, they've built a family business that has become a must-visit destination for Hosta collectors across North America. The nursery has grown from a few hundred varieties into thousands of Hostas, companion plants, display gardens, online sales, and a thriving hybridizing program.

You'll hear how Mike's fascination with streaked Hostas evolved into a serious hybridizing program, why award-winning seedling competitions have become such an important part of their Hosta journey, and what it takes to evaluate thousands of seedlings in search of the next great introduction.

We also discuss their registered introduction 'Awe Snap', a sport of H.-Sugar Snap. Mike's interest in breeding fan-favorite 'Blue Jeans Bling' and how it's become a backbone of his hybridizing program. The growing collection of seedlings currently under evaluation, and the excitement of deciding which plants might someday earn an official release.

Whether you know The Hosta Stop through their online sales, convention appearances, vendor booths, educational presentations, or their stunning Wisconsin display gardens, this episode takes you behind the scenes of the family, passion, and hard work that make people say, "You just Hosta Stop."

Visit their website at hostastop.net or visit their Facebook seedling sales. You can also see them at many Hosta Conventions in the Vendor room. Drop by and say hi to the Giese family, they'd love to chat and catch up.

Follow Hosta La Vista on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.

You can also reach us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com

In this special mid-week episode of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy and Mandy recap their trip to the Midwest Regional Hosta Society's 50th Anniversary Convention, held July 9–12 in Madison, Wisconsin. From educational sessions and garden tours to hosta shopping and connecting with fellow enthusiasts from across the Midwest, the sisters share their favorite memories from a convention they won't soon forget.

Along the way, you'll hear conversations recorded at the convention with three special guests: Karen Dawson, Jim Morrow, and Andrew Lietzow. Each shares their unique perspective on hostas, gardening, and the incredible community that surrounds the friendship plant.

The episode also features a look at Mandy's hand-sculpted jewelry business, Unfurled, whose nature-inspired creations have become a favorite among gardeners and plant lovers alike. Learn more at the Unfurled Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/unfurledjewelry

Whether you've attended dozens of conventions or have never been to one, this episode offers an inside look at the gardens, people, learning opportunities, and hostatality that make hosta conventions such a special experience.

Hosta La Vista is brought to you by Green Hill Hostas, In the Country Garden and Gifts and Hornbaker Gardens.

Visit us on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.

This week on Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy and Mandy welcome Nick Ternes, owner of Botanophilia LLC, hosta hybridizer, nursery owner, garden educator, speaker, and self-described plant geek. Known throughout the gardening world for his deep knowledge of hostas, shade gardening, trees, shrubs, and rare plants, Nick has spent decades helping gardeners create landscapes that are both beautiful and sustainable.

In this episode, Nick shares the story behind Botanophilia, his journey from passionate plant collector to respected nursery owner, and what he's learned through years of growing, breeding, and evaluating plants. We discuss hosta hybridizing, selecting the right trees for the landscape, designing gardens that work as complete ecosystems, and why some of the most exciting plants in the garden aren't hostas at all.

Whether you're a hosta enthusiast, shade gardener, plant collector, tree lover, or simply looking for inspiration from one of horticulture's most knowledgeable voices, you'll find plenty of practical advice, favorite plants, and fascinating stories in this conversation.

Topics include:

• Hosta hybridizing and breeding
• Shade garden design
• Companion plants for hostas
• Trees and woody plants for northern gardens
• Rare and unusual plants
• Running a specialty plant nursery
• Gardening education and public speaking
• Building a garden instead of a collection

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at hostalavistapodcast@gmail.com and follow Hosta La Vista on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

This title and description should rank well for searches involving Nick Ternes, Botanophilia, hostas, hosta hybridizer, shade gardening, and trees, while still sounding natural to listeners.

Step into The Painted Leaf Hosta Garden with Lonna Engel, whose Williamsport, Pennsylvania hosta garden has grown from a single bed in 2016 into a spectacular collection of more than 900 hosta cultivars. From miniature hostas to giant specimens spanning 7 feet across, Lonna has transformed her shade garden into a destination for hosta lovers and plant enthusiasts alike.

On this episode of Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast, Betsy and Mandy explore the inspiration, creativity, and dedication behind one of the most captivating private hosta gardens in the country. Lonna shares how she designed her collection to feel more like a living museum, where every pathway reveals new hostas, garden art, and unexpected surprises.

We discuss:
Growing and collecting over 900 hosta varieties
Designing a memorable shade garden experience
Deer-resistant gardening and her homemade ammonia-based deer deterrent
Crystal chandeliers hanging among the trees each spring
A unique koi pond where retired hostas are grown hydroponically
Companion plants and garden design ideas for shade gardens
The touching story of a garden frog memorial that visitors never forget

Lonna also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at her popular Instagram account, @paintedleafhostagarden, and shares some of the gardeners who inspire her, including the whimsical and knowledgeable Dr. Garden Fairy.

Whether you're a seasoned hosta collector, an avid shade gardener, or just discovering the world of hostas, this episode is filled with practical gardening advice, hosta-growing tips, creative garden ideas, and the stories that make the hosta community so special.

Follow The Painted Leaf Hosta Garden on Instagram at @paintedleafhostagarden and subscribe to Hosta La Vista: The Friendship Plant Podcast for weekly conversations about hostas, shade gardening, hosta nurseries, hybridizers, companion plants, garden design, and the people who make the hosta world such a welcoming place.

#Hosta #Hostas #HostaGarden #ShadeGarden #ShadeGardening #HostaCollector #HostaPodcast #GardeningPodcast #Perennials #PlantParent #GardenDesign #TheFriendshipPlant #PaintedLeafHostaGarden #LonnaEngel #PennsylvaniaGardens

What does it take to earn a Gold Medal at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show?

This week on Hosta La Vista, Betsy and Mandy welcome Jonathan Hogarth of Hogarth Hostas, holder of the UK's National Collection of Small and Miniature Hostas and newly crowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner. After years of exhibiting at Britain's most famous flower shows and collecting multiple silver and silver-gilt medals, Jonathan achieved the highest honor in horticulture with his 2026 Chelsea display of miniature hostas.

Jonathan shares the fascinating story behind his passion for small and miniature hostas, how he became the curator of the National Collection, and why these tiny treasures deserve a place in every shade garden. We discuss exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the pressures of preparing an award-winning display, and what it felt like to finally hear the word "Gold."

Along the way, we explore:

• The world's smallest and most collectible Hostas
• Growing miniature Hostas in containers and troughs
• Building and maintaining a National Plant Collection
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show behind-the-scenes stories
• Slug and snail control techniques
• Hosta care tips for gardeners with limited space
• The 2027 AHS Indianapolis, IN national convention

Whether you're a seasoned collector, a shade gardening enthusiast, or simply curious about the fascinating world of miniature Hostas, this episode offers a rare glimpse into one of horticulture's most specialized and rewarding pursuits.

Jonathan's collection has been featured at RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, RHS Chatsworth, and RHS Malvern, where his displays have earned numerous awards and helped introduce thousands of gardeners to the beauty of miniature Hostas.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Jonathan's website at hogarth-hostas.co.uk and visit Hosta la Vista at hostalavista.org

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