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Billy & Hanna Secord Burnsville, Minnesota
A passion for hostas that began when Billy was thirteen has led to the creation of their expansive
private collection, with tens of thousands of plants at their home. They have more than 1,200
cultivars of hostas, many of which exist in mass plantings, with hundreds of other types of
perennials (astilbe, lilies, irises, daylilies, ferns, wild geraniums, etc.) mixed in to create an exciting
blend of both color and texture.
After removing countless buckthorn and Chinese elm trees, more than 100 white pines have been
added to their property during the past few years, along with a mixture of fruit trees and ornamental
bushes. The landscape is ever changing. As an oasis for local wildlife, they share their property with
deer, fox, coyotes, opossums, turkeys, hawks, tree frogs, skunks, and dozens of other native
species, with nature cameras positioned throughout the gardens capturing the menagerie on a
nightly basis.
This spectacular garden includes 70 feet of elevation change from the east to the west side of the
property. The lawn area and back side of the home are relatively flat allowing for the many hosta
varieties to be easily viewed along established paths. The elevation change includes a long steep
driveway and a hill which lead to several pockets of hostas.
Prior to the pandemic, Billy traveled upwards of 300 thousand miles a year for work, with monthly
trips throughout Asia Pacific. The gardens have always served as his sanctuary whenever he
returned home to unwind and reconnect with nature. With twin toddlers born in 2020, a new chapter
is now being written. His wife Hanna and he look forward to sharing their love of living things with
their children.
DANNY LAWSON DANNY LAWSON
Massive clumps of hostas and
companion plants. Multiple clumps of H. ‘Orion’s Belt’ to view.
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