For this purpose he keeps a selection of unstable mutations, because the resulting seedlings are more random.

This very attractive plant is completely unstable, but can be used to create a wide variety of crossings.

Stable plants can give quite predictable results, but Jan has found that he can keep a plant unstable by continually dividing it each year. Some of these unstable plants appear quite attractive in their own right, but they would be impossible to produce on a commercial scale.

The resulting seedlings are surveyed and selections are made. These selections themselves have to prove stable before they can be considered as potential new introductions, so they are divided and grown for a couple of years and monitored.

When Jan has 3 stable plants of a new selection, he takes one to the tissue culture lab to be used for mass propagation. The other two are held back at his nursery incase anything goes wrong! If the tissue culture propagation is a success, then the plant is ready to be introduced as a new variety.

Hosta 'Magic Fire'. Big enough to hide behind!

A big new hope is ‘Magic Fire’. This large variety has great presence and catches the eye from a distance with its broad golden-edged foliage. “Even people who don’t like hostas will like this plant”, Jan says with  a glint in his eye. ‘Magic Fire’ is now being tested and may emerge as a new introduction in 2007.

One of the big projects Jan is working on right now is fragrant flowered hostas – something bound to prove popular with gardeners. So watch this space for news…