what the heck, hostas?!

For the time being, until we stucco, I have to look at this mammoth garage of cinderblock wall. Last summer i tried to pretty it up with pots and iron nonsense hanging on the walls, and a little flower bed. The soffeting creates a shaded area so i thought who loves shade better than hosta. So i planted 4, count them, 4 hosta. Yet why do we only see this.......?

what the heck, hosta?!

I discovered, thank goodness, that the others were there yet WAAAY further behind. Now i know they are different kinds, but they were all planted at the same time, at the same "height" or stage or whatever in their growth last year. They all recieve the same amount of sunlight.

Two are like this-

So what is the deal? I wish i knew which kind this one was, it's really pretty. i thought they were supposed to multiply at the rate of bunnies... I want more of this one, so let's hop to it.

Let's talk about the garden gnomes for a moment, do you mind? I had to have these, they are actually cute! That guy above has a suitcase with world stamps on it. He's a little traveler like me. I honestly fear someone walking by will steal him. Unlikely, but still, i worry.

Oh, and the pots are empty b/c i am waiting til i come back from vacation to plant, so my garden right now is lookin' pretty scarce. what do you guys usually plant in containers? can i do a perennial in them?