2026 Big Bid Items

H. ‘Burlesque’ (A. Ritchey – 2015)

This is a rare plant! H. ‘Burlesque’ is a medium sized hosta. This cultivar is a sport of H. ‘Striptease’ registered by Allen Ritchey of Wisconsin in 2015. The medium blue-green foliage has a wider margin than other sports. The white section surrounding a green center variegation is also substantially larger. Its leaves are twisted. Blooming from mid-July into August, mid-season of the hosta summer. Al points out the attractive four color leaf. A strong 3-5 eye field grown plant of H. ‘Burlesque’ will be sent by the originator, Al’s Auto Body & Arboretum, in spring. Additionally, the plant will come with a custom laser cut stainless steel marker tag.

Donated by Allen RItchie – Al’s Autobody and Arboretum

H. ‘Andrew’ (H. Hansen – 2006)

This beautiful variegated hosta is a sport of H. ‘Blue Mammoth’. It is not readily available in the trade. It’s thick, blue-green leaves with a white center make it a stunning specimen in any garden.

Donated by Barry Ankney

H. ‘Stitch in Time’ (R. Mortko – 2004)

A sport of H. ‘Summer Breeze’ from Rob Mortko, has nearly round leaves with dark green centers and mildly rippled wide yellow borders. The irregular dark green centers have a gathered effect at the margin of the center tissue.

Donated by Rob Mortko

H. ‘Tattoo’ (T. Avent – 1998)

A Little Aurora sport from Tony Avent. Small, rounded, bright gold leaves with a wide, light green border. The name derives from a maple leaf-like marking on each leaf. Partial sun is needed to get the markings to look good. The winner will receive 3 divisions from a mature clump.

Donated by Tom Voystock and Ron Cote

H. ‘Cosmic Big Boy’ (R. Kuenster – NR)

A new large steaked hosta introduction. As the name implies, this is a big plant with nearly round leaves. Rod Kuenster is one of the leading hybridizers of streaked hostas, but he might have outdone himself with this beauty. The large round leaves have a myriad of unusual colors, dark blue green, olive as well as yellow and white streaks.

Donated by Bob Solberg – Green Hill Farm, Inc.

H. ‘Electric Fire’ (D. Ruff – NR)

Get ready for a spectacular light show with Hosta ‘Electric Fire’!

This dynamic hybrid from Doug Ruff, creator of the groundbreaking Hosta ‘Bloodline’, is a dazzling, color-changing stunner. It will light up your spring garden like a blazing fire, and be warned: everyone who sees it, wants it!

This extraordinary hosta emerges in spring with a breathtaking display: bright yellow leaves flash with intense red blushing through the veins and across the leaf, all held on deep, saturated red petioles. This blazing blush is most pronounced during cool, sunny spring days, but lasts longer than ‘Light the Match’, holding into early summer here in Iowa.

As summer arrives, the blush gently fades, leaving behind vibrant bright yellow leaves that slowly transition to a lively chartreuse green. New growth continues to show hints of the red blush throughout the season. With good leaf substance, ‘Electric Fire’ can even handle a couple hours of direct sun, which helps develop the best blushing. Its unique genetics allow for a natural reddish “sunscreen” effect on emerging leaves, ensuring a brilliant performance that lasts!

Donated by Josh Spece – In the Country Garden and Gifts

H. ‘Stacked Deck’ OS (PJ Beaulier – NR)

Hosta ‘Stacked Deck’ is a streaked sport of Hosta ‘King of Spades’. Spade shaped blue-green leaves with yellow streaks throughout and some corrugation. It has never been sold and has only been gifted to a handful of hosta friends. Now growing in 1qt containers with nice root systems. The winner will get the biggest one we have.

Donated by New Hampshire Hostas

H. ‘Storm Front’ OS (O. Purvis – 2023)

This OS plant has bever been released before. The winner will be the first person to have a piece of this plant from Owen Purvis. Storm Front has dark powdery blue leaves with firm substance. Leaves have some cupping and waviness making it look like a storm is brewing. Winner will receive a minimum of two divisions of this plant.

Donated by Owen Purvis

H. ‘Galaxy’s Ring’ OS (O. Purvis – NR)

Galaxy’s Ring is a sport of Galaxy. Galaxy’s Ring is a stable edged sport that has only been released one time before. The winner will receive a minimum of two divisions of this OS plant.

Donated by Owen Purvis

H. ‘Piano Man’ OS (O. Purvis – 2022)

This OS plant from Owen Purvis has been given to only two people. Piano Man is lightly corrugated with dark grayish green leaves sporting wavy edges and downturned tips. The early season grayish green color tends to go more toward green later in the season. The winner will receive a minimum of two divisions of this plant.

Donated by Owen Purvis