Mike's Hostas

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Mike's Hostas We are a small nursery based in Taunton and Milverton Somerset.

We specialise in Hostas with more a tendancy towards the blue varieties, ranging from the diminutive Blue Mouse Ears to the outrageously large Empress Wu.

We will be attending the plant fair on Sunday at Chenies Manor, Buckinghamshire. Look forward to meeting you all there.
19/07/2024

We will be attending the plant fair on Sunday at Chenies Manor, Buckinghamshire. Look forward to meeting you all there.

I came across this nice flower from American Sweetheart. Great textures and quite a sight.
12/07/2024

I came across this nice flower from American Sweetheart. Great textures and quite a sight.

Yesterday I attended the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society AGM held at Broadward Hall Gardens, Shropshire set in be...
08/07/2024

Yesterday I attended the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society AGM held at Broadward Hall Gardens, Shropshire set in beautiful countryside. Where our hosts Caro and Anthony were most gracious and allowed us to spend time in their walled garden containing The National Collection of
Historic English-bred Hemerocallis.

Caro gave us a fascinating presentation about the history and efforts they have undertaken to develop and preserve their wall garden and their National Collection.

The AGM was held, won't go into the detail here, the minutes will be available to society members once they have been written.

Finally we had cake, tea and coffee to set us up in preparation of the plant auction. There was a lovely collection provided by members and some unusual varieties available. I of course purchased 7 Hostas, which included an Original Stock June provided by June Colley.

Found this Bowl the other day, so I decided to put a little Hush Puppie in it. Have used this mini before in another...
08/07/2024

Found this Bowl the other day, so I decided to put a little Hush Puppie in it. Have used this mini before in another bowl and thoroughly enjoyed the effect. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one develops over the coming weeks.

Well if you were wondering why we have been a bit quiet, it is because we have been making hay in the 3 and a half fiel...
05/07/2024

Well if you were wondering why we have been a bit quiet, it is because we have been making hay in the 3 and a half field. We got more hay then I had anticipated 410 small bales! This is the first time I have made hay for 30 years, so a little tired now. Ashley and Belinda did a brilliant job of turning, rowing and collecting the bales, when collecting and moving the bales you end up shifting them multiple times, so I moved about 600 bales between stacking, loading, and off loading. I must confess I was slowing down at the end, and Ashley and Belinda finished the last 100 at about midnight.

But all in all a mad rush, but weirdly exciting and satisfying once finished. Small bales are an old fashioned way of farming, but nothing beats it.

Back to Hostas, and we will be attending the Ilsington Summer Show near Newton Abbot on the 20th July, and at Chenies Manor in Buckinghamshire on the 21st July before we start Flower Show preparation on the 2nd and 3rd of August.

Here at the Axe Vale 2024 show for the second day. We had a good day yesterday met loads of lovely people, and had many ...
23/06/2024

Here at the Axe Vale 2024 show for the second day. We had a good day yesterday met loads of lovely people, and had many a good chat about Hostas, slugs and snails.

Well, I thought I would finally sow the meadow seeds. Looked at the weather forecast, and it looks damp for the next few...
12/06/2024

Well, I thought I would finally sow the meadow seeds. Looked at the weather forecast, and it looks damp for the next few weeks. Temperatures are more like spring than summer. Since the 5 acre had been cut for silage, it was the right height for chain harrowing, hand sowing, and finally, chain harrowing over the top.

In farming you have to take advantage of what the weather brings you. It was supposed to be in the other field. We were supposed to do it last September, then this spring. Hey, ho pip and dandy.

By the way, my Dad was born in Morton in the Marsh.

We are at Hellen's Garden Festival in Hereford this weekend. There is a really pleasant relaxed vibe to the place. Ple...
06/06/2024

We are at Hellen's Garden Festival in Hereford this weekend. There is a really pleasant relaxed vibe to the place. Plenty to see, food to eat and music to listen to.

This year was too wet for our neighbours sheep to come onto the land so here is our 5 acre field all cut ready for silag...
03/06/2024

This year was too wet for our neighbours sheep to come onto the land so here is our 5 acre field all cut ready for silage! We are hoping that the weather holds and we get to cut the 3.5 acre field for hay this year.

Last day at the Royal Bath and West show. Keep smiling on!
01/06/2024

Last day at the Royal Bath and West show. Keep smiling on!

Just finished our display for the Royal Bath and West Show 2024 in the Floral Marquee. Lots of other exhibitors to come...
29/05/2024

Just finished our display for the Royal Bath and West Show 2024 in the Floral Marquee. Lots of other exhibitors to come and see plus guest speakers in the Green Room.

Looking forward to a quick rest and then refreshed to meet loads of lovely people.

Completed our display, now waiting for judging this morning.
16/05/2024

Completed our display, now waiting for judging this morning.

Well there we go the beginning of another show. We have started the display for our Devon County Show 2024 display!
15/05/2024

Well there we go the beginning of another show. We have started the display for our Devon County Show 2024 display!

A Rock Island Line this morning after the rain.
14/05/2024

A Rock Island Line this morning after the rain.

Great Day at Powderham Castle for Toby's GardenFest. Enjoyed meeting so many people.Now back at base selecting new stoc...
03/05/2024

Great Day at Powderham Castle for Toby's GardenFest. Enjoyed meeting so many people.

Now back at base selecting new stock for tomorrow.

Getting ready for Mapperton House Plant Fair tomorrow and came across this Brother Stefan in the morning sun.
13/04/2024

Getting ready for Mapperton House Plant Fair tomorrow and came across this Brother Stefan in the morning sun.

Goes to show how mild this winter has been as in amongst this tray several Twist of Lime and Lemon and Limes have chosen...
10/04/2024

Goes to show how mild this winter has been as in amongst this tray several Twist of Lime and Lemon and Limes have chosen to start flowering!

We will be preparing and checking stock for Mapperton Plant Fair tomorrow, so let us know if you would like us to bring any particular varieties with us. So far we have had a request for Catherine and Diana Remembered.

We are getting ready for the Spring Fair tomorrow at Forde Abbey near Chard. With the weather they have moved us to a m...
05/04/2024

We are getting ready for the Spring Fair tomorrow at Forde Abbey near Chard. With the weather they have moved us to a more sheltered location near the Kitchen Garden so all should be well?

Haven't posted much for a little while as have been busy potting thousands of Hostas over the last 2 weeks. Finally fin...
26/03/2024

Haven't posted much for a little while as have been busy potting thousands of Hostas over the last 2 weeks. Finally finished that and am now looking forward to our first event of the year.

We will be attending Burrow Farm Gardens Spring Show this Sunday 31st March. Nervous and excited, because it has been a while since our last event at Malvern last September, but looking forward to meeting people and sharing stories about Hostas.

Thought I would let you know how we got on with the modified Garlic spray by adding Chili Flakes. I would say it was pa...
13/03/2024

Thought I would let you know how we got on with the modified Garlic spray by adding Chili Flakes. I would say it was partially successful.

I certainly saw evidence of what the Squirrels thought (unfortunately I tidied up before remembering to take a photograph) It was obvious that a Squirrel tried, it had a go at a large Glory Hallelujah, and had not liked what it had tried as it had knocked a load of pots around. So quite a violent response to the solution. I also saw it have a quick go in one of the other tunnels, but to a lesser extent. That was quite quickly after having sprayed, and there is no evidence that they have been back.

To a lesser extent it has had less of an effect on the mice and shrews, but I am putting that down to the rain we have had since the initial spray. They have grazed a few Hostas, but they are less destructive than the Squirrels. I have reapplied the spray and we shall see how that goes.

The Shrews and Mice have gone predominantly for Sherborne Swifts, Kiwi Hippos, Designer Genes and Glory Hallelujah.

Here is Hosta Lakeside Dragonfly after this morning's rain.
10/03/2024

Here is Hosta Lakeside Dragonfly after this morning's rain.

Well here is a 2 litre concentrate of our Garlic and Chilie mix. It actually smells quite nice when your making it and n...
04/03/2024

Well here is a 2 litre concentrate of our Garlic and Chilie mix. It actually smells quite nice when your making it and not so garlicy. We used 1 table spoon of chilie flakes per bulb of garlic.

Sprayed now, so I will let you know how we get on.

Now you are wondering why use this mix rather than the pure Garlic mix? Well the chilie is a recommended additive to deter rabbits and deer from eating your plants. In this case we are doing it to deter mice and shrews.

An update on the Hosta June that we took out of the terrarium. Its looking rather nice at the moment.
29/02/2024

An update on the Hosta June that we took out of the terrarium. Its looking rather nice at the moment.

A Kiwi Hippo munched, but not by a slug or snail but by a mouse or shrew. So, I'm going to use the modified garlic sol...
28/02/2024

A Kiwi Hippo munched, but not by a slug or snail but by a mouse or shrew. So, I'm going to use the modified garlic solution to deal with this. If you add some chilli flakes to the garlic, brew, then this should deter them. I'll let you know how I get on. This is the method for dealing with rabbits and deer, so hopefully, it should work for the little ones.

Been a little remise in updating you on some of the varieties that have come up, but here are the recent ones with some ...
25/02/2024

Been a little remise in updating you on some of the varieties that have come up, but here are the recent ones with some photographs:
Kiwi Hippo
Silver Wedding
Sherborne Swift
Kingfisher
St******se
Komodo Dragon
Viking Ship
Geisha

Here are some additional ones:
Coconut and Custard
Janet
Appletini
Mousecapades
Sun Mouse
Teeny Weeny Bikini

Well exciting times, and you can definitely feel the start of the new growing season. We have our first duck egg of the...
25/02/2024

Well exciting times, and you can definitely feel the start of the new growing season. We have our first duck egg of the year. Reckon it was most probably be a Buff Orpington egg as the Khaki Campbells are getting on a bit now being seven years old.

Before you are wondering why we keep a few ducks, it is quite simple. There is a saying that you don't have a slug/snail problem you have a lack of ducks. You do have to be careful as they also like eating Hostas too! But we have trained them to clean the bottoms of our pots if you call them and present the bottom of the pot to them. The Campbells are smaller and can get into the small holes and cracks, whilst the Buff Orpington is larger and can crack the shells of the larger snails and deal with the really big slugs.

Nature is wonderful really!

Went through the Hostas yesterday to tally new varieties that had shown themselves:Devon GreenSo SweetDiana RememberedLa...
18/02/2024

Went through the Hostas yesterday to tally new varieties that had shown themselves:

Devon Green
So Sweet
Diana Remembered
Lakeside Spellbinder
Hydon Sunset
Emily Dickinson -
Kiwi Hippo
Wolverine -
First Love -
Lemon Lime
Ballerina
Fire Island
Dark Star
The Fonz
Big Daddy
American Sweetheart

I won't show all of them as otherwise its lots of pictures looking the same, so will just show some of the better ones.

I have discovered a Praying Hands that shown up, and that normally shouldn't been seen for quite some time.

Some honourable mentions on fast growth are:
Old Faithfull
Big Boy
Designer Genes

First active ladybird of the season!
17/02/2024

First active ladybird of the season!

We have changed the website and have stopped bare root sales and changed over to plant sales.Thankyou to everyone that p...
16/02/2024

We have changed the website and have stopped bare root sales and changed over to plant sales.

Thankyou to everyone that purchased bare root Hostas, we will be shipping them to you over the next few weeks.

The website only has a few potted Hosta varieties currently available but more, will be added each week as they are checked and have started growing and we know they have all done well over winter.

More of our Hostas are coming up, Dixie Chick, Cracker Crumbs, Golden Tiara, Guacamole and Goldrush. Quite a mix but al...
16/02/2024

More of our Hostas are coming up, Dixie Chick, Cracker Crumbs, Golden Tiara, Guacamole and Goldrush. Quite a mix but all looking good.

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Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 10:30 - 15:00

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+441823279702

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Videos

Show displays
Show displays

A talkative pheasant
A talkative pheasant

We have decided to call our new helper William at our Milverton site. As you can see he is becoming more talkative. But when he sees anyone else around he disappears like the mist into the background and then miraculously reappears once they have gone past. I'm sure once lockdown has passed he will disappear into the neighbouring woods.

Look who turned up for work today?
Look who turned up for work today?

Our friendly neighbourhood Pheasant turned up for work today at our Milverton Site.

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