For the love of hostas
Jackie Pool discovered love later in life. It took 40 years, but in one fell swoop, she found a husband and a green thumb.
Boy, did my life change!" Jackie says as she remembers back to 1988 when, at age 40, she married Bob Pool, and they bought 2.5 acres of land from her new husband's family farm just outside Indianola, Iowa. It was on those couple of acres that Jackie discovered her other love -- gardening.
"When we built our house, it was in all sun. The land was a flat cornfield, so everything on it today we've planted ourselves," Jackie says proudly. "Now we have several hundred trees, several hundred perennials, and shrubs. And, of course, the hostas."
hosta plants. This is only one of their 10
gardens.
Jackie mentions her hostas fourth, as if saving the best for last.
"I was adamant when Bob and I started planting hostas that we would not be collectors," Jackie says. "I liked the plants and figured we'd have some. But that's it.
"So I thought -- in my organized manner -- we'd get one hosta plant for every letter of the alphabet. That's how we started," Jackie says.
"And then we had three or four A's and a couple of B's. I tried to fill out the alphabet," she says. "Before we knew it, we had a hundred; then we had 200."
Today the Pools' hosta collection numbers over 350 varieties. To keep them all straight, Jackie and Bob have carefully labeled each plant. A computer printout of all their varieties reads like a horse racing form: Abba Dabba Do, Banana Muffins, Crowned Imperial, Doyle's Baby, and on through the alphabet. (See their impressive collection listed on page 64.)
Although each variety carries a unique and colorful name, the physical differences among the plants are often minute. To the trained eyes of Bob and Jackie, the subtle spectrum of color, texture, leaf shape, and plant size gives each plant its individuality.
Therefore, when asked if she has a favorite, Jackie says without thinking, "Sum and Substance!" It is clear why she favors that particular variety when she points to the majestically gigantic plant that dwarfs all those surrounding it.
Due to their ever-expanding collection, the Pools currently have 10 separate gardens. "We've devoted one whole section of the backyard to hostas," Jackie says. "We've got some pretty massive beds there."
Low-maintenance gardening
"We enjoy working in the hosta gardens. It's very peaceful, very secluded," Jackie says. "It's not a lot of work, which is a good thing. People are always looking for a maintenance-free garden. That doesn't exist. But a hosta garden is pretty low maintenance," she says. "There aren't a lot of weeds because of the shade. The plants look good most of the time without a lot of muss and fuss."
Jackie sums up her love of hostas: "They just kind of grow on you.
Learn More
Bob and Jackie Pool
726 78th Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125
Email the Pools: mailto:pooljb@aol.com
Download a one page list of the Pools huge variety of hostas. (92k PDF document. Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
Please don't think this is an insulting comment but you look to be around my age. Somewhere in the 50's is all I will admit to at this point. I do have O.A. so I am looking for gardening that will be practially work free once established. So your article gives me great hope!
Thanks for taking the time to share your photos and story.
As Always, Still In The Country
Cindee