About Us

elow:

  • Google map of our location
  • Rows map of the gardens
  • Time slot reservation signup to visit
  • Join our email list
  • 1 minute video of gardens as of June 2025
  • Background info
  • How to order
  • How we price our hostas

The business is located 1 mile north of the Minnesota State Fair.   See a Google Map below.

Address: 19 Mid Oaks Road, Roseville, MN   55113.  Two blocks west of the intersection of Snelling and Roselawn Avenues. On the NW corner of Roselawn Ave. and Mid Oaks Road.  

Please park on the north side of Roselawn Avenue (along the boulder wall) and enter under the pergola.  Please DO NOT park on Mid Oaks Road.  The flag and signs should help you see where to park and enter.  THANKS!

We are a home based State of MN inspected and licensed hosta business that sells 5,000+ hosta divisions from 280+ varieties of mostly MATURE hostas.  

  • More hosta varieties will be mature and for sale in future years. 
  • The house and garden are on a 150' x 150' lot - with no grass.  The gardens have nice landscaping: topography, granite boulders and Chilton stone walls, twisting gravel paths, two small ponds with a connecting stream and water falls, and some concrete ornaments.
  • The property overlooks the University of Minnesota experimental farm land. 

The business is run by 69 year old hosta expert - Tom Carlson. 

  • Tom shares his 57 years of hosta gardening knowledge via his sales, emails, and 50+ page Hosta Care document that he emails to those that provide their email address. 
  • Tom was founder and owner of HostasDirect, Inc. for 15 years. The company had thousands of customers in 49 states, sold over 2,000 varieties of hostas and also other plants, and shipped about 3,600,000 plants.
  • Tom also founded and owned IDeal Garden Markers where he sold his unique garden marker design and design online custom engravings and labels.
  • We try to make your visit fun, helpful, and provide unique value.

It helps everyone if you use the time slot system on the Home Page before visiting.  

  • Please cancel if your plans change so someone else can use your time slot. 
  • Due to the business being in a home garden and a neighborhood, at times there can be a lack of garden and parking space. 
  • As we most often dig orders while customer wait, it helps us and you to limit the number of visitors via time slots.
  • We also want to offer expert help to our customers. 
  • Selecting a time slot is safest and best for everyone!

Sales dates and times vary. 

  • Sales depend upon the weather, the hostas, and Tom’s other responsibilities. 
  • Tom communicates sales hours via his email newsletter and posting at the top of  the home page of this website. 
  • Sales hours can change due to weather or emergencies so please watch for our emails and the website if the weather is suspect.   

We are a SAFETY FIRST business. 

  • If there is a threat of lightning or slippery conditions we close down promptly.
  • If you see anything on our property that you feel is not safe, please notify us  IMMEDIATELY so we can fix it promptly.  THANKS.

Improvements to website and ordering are coming

  • We are moving towards preordering mostly on this website. The website will be improved in the future. It is new as of early July 2025.

If you are ordering lots of hostas (more than 10):

  • We prefer that you preorder via our price list spreadsheet OR visit and leave your price list with your contact information. We will contact you for pickup. We do not want to hold up others that are ordering smaller quantities. Keep in mind it can take a long time to dig large orders.
  • If you are driving a long ways, please email us your order (via the spreadsheet) ahead of time so we can dig your order before you get here.

How our existing system works as of 7-10-25:  

  • Please bring own bags, boxes, pots.  Bags work best.  Also, consider a plastic liner for your vehicle to contain soil.  
  • Cash only. If you prepay while we dig we will provide a receipt of your cash payment.
  • Get a current price and availability list on the table on the driveway.
  • Walk around gardens and select your hostas on the price list.
  • Price is for 1 division but you often get more.
  • Return to table on the driveway. 
  • Hand print our white plastic plant labels with our sun-resistant paint pens.
  • Total your cost and sales tax on the last page of price list.
  • Bring plant labels and find tall Tom or others that will dig your order.
  • Pay Tom or at the table. 

Hosta locations: are listed on the price list and in the description area of each hosta on this website.  Below is a map of the gardens.  As you enter under on the north side of Roselawn Ave. under the pergola turn left (west) to start row 1 and walk up the hill.  We suggest you cut and paste this map, print it and bring it with you.  We will also have some printed out on the table on the driveway.