William Brincka planted his first hostas in 1982 and quickly became devoted to them, drawn by what he called the tropical lushness of their foliage and their remarkable diversity of color, size, and form. In 1983, he planted 170 varieties, establishing the beginnings of his renowned hosta garden. More than 400 varieties of hostas grow here, including several cultivars that Brincka developed and registered himself. He arranged the hostas to take advantage of each variety’s unique coloring, texture, size, and shape. Although he was not trying to imitate a Japanese garden, he incorporated some Oriental elements, especially through the hostas themselves, most of which originated in Japan. Brincka also valued the garden’s natural patterns and refused to use herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals that might disrupt them, helping create a place where wildlife such as woodchucks, deer, wrens, and orioles abounds.

Photo: Daniel Barriball

Town of Pines, Indiana · USA