Hosta hybrid: Sting, Firn Line, Regal Splendor and other varieties

The hybrid hosta is gradually replacing the standard species of this plant. Now there are about 3 thousand different types of culture. And every year, thanks to the efforts of breeders, their number is constantly increasing. Such a wide variety of hybrid hostas has contributed to their wide popularity among flower growers. Therefore, these perennials are the most popular in recent years.

Variety and splendor of hybrid hostas

Hybrid hosta differs not only in a variety of shades, but also in plant height from 10 cm to 1,2 m. This allows you to significantly expand the range of application of the culture. Among the hybrid hostas, there are variegated species that combine several shades, and plain forms with an unusual color of lastins, for example, blue or white.

Hybrids can also be with a wavy edge of the leaf plates. You can also find species in which the waffle structure of the leaves. In this way, the plant increases the surface of the plate, where the cells with chloroplasts are located, and this allows them to adapt to the lack of light.

It would seem that all possible options in the selection of this culture have already been exhausted, but this is not so. Now work is underway to cross the host and daylilies. The main goal of this experiment is to get new plant species with decorative leaves and bright flowers. Now these novelties are very expensive and not available for mass distribution. But at the moment there are many other species that deserve the attention of flower growers.

The best varieties of hybrid host

Among the variety of hybrid hosts, some can be identified that are most distinguished by their color and unpretentiousness in care. Most often, these species are used in landscape design, which allows you to create unusual compositions that retain their decorative effect throughout the season and are updated every year with the arrival of spring.

Stiletto

A miniature hybrid form of the host, the height of the plant does not exceed 10-15 cm. The plates are narrow with a sharp tip. Their shade is green, but a light yellow border runs along the edge. During the flowering period, purple bells rise above the foliage.

The bush reaches a diameter of 20-30 cm. This hybrid hosta can grow in sunny and shady areas, and if necessary, it can be placed in deep shade.

In appearance, this hosta looks like a small lush bump

Steind Glass

This hybrid form is derived from the ‘Guacamole’ species. It was bred in 1999. It is characterized by a golden yellow tint of plates with a dark green border around the edge. They are rounded with a glossy surface. The height of the plant reaches 50 cm, and the diameter is 100 cm.

In August, white large flowers appear above the foliage on strong peduncles that exude a pleasant aroma.

In 2006, this hybrid form was recognized as the best host by the American Association of Host Manufacturers.

Sting

This species is characterized by the average size of the bush, whose height is 35 cm, and the diameter reaches 45 cm. It is distinguished by dark green leaves with vertical branching creamy-light green stains.

The flowering period for this hybrid is July-August, depending on the region of growth

Golden Tiara

This hybrid hosta forms a low shrub up to 40 cm and about 60-70 cm in diameter. It is characterized by color variability. In spring, the plates are green with a yellow border around the edge; in summer, its frame disappears. Grows well in partial shade and moderately moist areas. Flowering occurs in early August.

The flowers of the “Golden Tiara” are medium in size, the color is striped bluish-lilac.

Captain Kirk

This hybrid is characterized by a medium spreading bush. Its height reaches 50 cm, and its diameter is about 90 cm. The leaf plates are rounded. The main color is yellow-green. Along the edge comes a dark green border of uneven width

The flowers of the hybrid hosta “Captain Kirk” are light lilac. They appear in late July-early August.

Hosta «Captain Kirk» obtained from the species «Gold Standard»

Firn Line

This hybrid subtly combines a smoky blue in the center of the plate with a wide white border around the edge. It forms a medium bush, the height of which barely reaches 35-40 cm, and the width is 60-70 cm.

The Firn Line hybrid hosta has dense leaves. The color of the flowers is light lavender. They appear above the foliage in the second half of July.

In this type, the plates are heart-shaped.

Veronica Lake

Medium sized hybrid hosta. The height of the bush reaches 40 cm, and in conditions of deep shade it can grow up to 60 cm. It is characterized by a green-blue color with a golden-yellow frame along the edge of the plates. In spring, the shade of the border is creamy white.

The height of the peduncles of this hybrid hosta reaches 75 cm

Maple Leafs

The species is distinguished by rounded leaves with a waffle structure. Their color is green in the center, and along the edge there is a yellowish edging of uneven width. Blooms with white bells.

“Maple Leafs” blooms in the second half of summer, namely at the end of July

Regal Splendor

Tall hybrid hosta. The height of the plant reaches 90 cm, and the width is about 85 cm. The leaf plates are dense, oval in shape, slightly curved. Their length is 28 cm, and their width is 17 cm. The color is gray-blue with uneven light edging. The frame changes its hue from yellow to whitish-cream. This ‘Regal Splendor’ hybrid hosta has large, lavender flowers.

“Regal Splendor” has a vase-shaped bush

Jurassic Park

This hosta is characterized by rapid growth. Forms huge bushes up to 100 cm high and about 180 cm wide. The leaves are rounded, dense. Their color is blue-green. The length of the plates is 42 cm, and the width is 38 cm. The color of the flowers is pale lilac.

The structure of the plates at the host “Jurassic Park” is wrinkled

Dream Queen

This hybrid is distinguished by large bushes 90 cm high. Its leaves are rounded and large. The main color is blue-green with creamy-white stains in the center. Flowers are white. They appear in early August and last for 3-4 weeks.

The shape of the flowers in this type of hosta is funnel-bell-shaped

Blu Umbrellaz

This hybrid variety is distinguished by a vase-shaped bush. Plant height reaches 100-110 cm. The leaves are huge, oval. Their size is 35 cm long and 25 cm wide. The color is blue-green. The flowers of this species are lavender. The hybrid form of the hosta “Blue Umbrellaz” was bred in 1978.

The plates are shaped like an umbrella

Lady Guinevere

Undersized variety of culture. Forms compact bushes 25 cm high and 50 cm in diameter. The leaves are creamy yellow, which occupies most of the center. Along the edges of the plates there is a narrow dark green border. The size of the leaves is 18 cm long and 7 cm wide. The surface of the plates of the Lady Guinevere hybrid host is furrowed. The flowers are purple in color.

This species is characterized by abundant flowering

Mojito

This hybrid form is characterized by rapid growth. Belongs to the category of large species. Forms sprawling bushes 60 cm high and wide. The leaves of “Mojito” are large, dense, with deep venation. They have a rich uniform dark green color. Pale lavender flowers appear above the foliage in late July.

The hybrid has a pleasant aroma that is felt when the buds open.

Beach Fight

Medium-sized type of hybrid hosta. The height and width of the plant is about 50 cm. It is characterized by a tricolor color. In the center of the plate, the shade is yellow-green, and closer to the edge it smoothly turns into a bluish-gray frame.

The leaves of the Beach Boy hybrid hosta are rounded with a slightly pointed tip. The flowers of this species are creamy white.

The decorative qualities of “Beach Boy” are best manifested when placed in partial shade.

Lemon Miracle

This new hosta is the result of painstaking selection work that has been carried out for 20 years. A distinctive feature of the hybrid are pale yellow flowers that resemble a lily in shape. Their diameter is 4-5 cm.

The leaves are heart-shaped with a glossy light green surface. The height and width of the plant does not exceed 42 cm. The flowering period begins in the second half of July.

The color of this species is a combination of lime and lemon.

Eskimo Pie

A common type of hybrid hosta. It is characterized by dense leaves with a clearly defined relief venation. In the spring, during the period of active vegetation, the central part of the plates is yellow, and by mid-summer it becomes creamy white. Along the edge is a blue-green border. The height of the bush reaches 50-60 cm, and its diameter is 70 cm.

White flowers of this species bloom in late June-early July.

The plant blooms in the middle of summer

Tokudama Flavocircinalis

It is characterized by sprawling bushes, the height of which does not exceed 45 cm, and the width is about 120 cm. The leaves are large, dense structure. They have a bluish-green color with a yellow border covered with a wax coating. In mid-July, the hybrid hosta “Tokudama Flavocircinalis” blooms white flowers that last for 3-4 weeks.

The leaf surface of this hybrid is strongly wrinkled.

Waid Brim

This variety of hybrid hosta was introduced in 1979 and is still relevant today. Forms a bush of medium height, about 50 cm. The leaves are embossed, light green in color with a white frame along the edge of the plate.

Lavender flowers exude a delicate pleasant aroma, collected in racemose inflorescences. They are often one-sided.

‘Wide Brim’ is distinguished by its dome-shaped bush

Mamma Mia

Srednerosly hybrid 40-50 cm high and 70 cm wide. The leaves are oval, pointed, kept on long petioles. The main color of the plates is dark green, but along the edge there is a wide yellow border, which fades to a creamy shade by mid-summer.

Pale lilac flowers appear in late June. They, like in all species, are collected in brushes.

The shape of flowers in the Mama Mia variety is funnel-shaped

Sunset Groves

An elegant hybrid with a bush height of up to 40 cm and a width of about 55 cm. Leaves of a dense structure, reaped, rounded. In the center of the plate, yellow color prevails, and along the edges there is a green border of uneven width. The flowers of the Sunset Groves hybrid hosta are white, odorless.

‘Sunset Groves’ has concave leaves.

June

Tricolor hybrid hosta. It is characterized by compact bushes, the height of which is 40-60 cm, and the width is 90 cm. This species is characterized by rapid growth. The plates are painted creamy yellow in the center, around which there is a light green frame, and closer to the edge they turn blue. The shape of the leaves is heart-shaped. Flowers are a delicate bluish-lavender shade.

The leaves of this species are slightly wavy along the edge.

Mango Tango

An unusual hybrid hosta variety with rounded leaves 18-20 cm long. The plates have a pointed tip. The main color is golden-green, and yellow stains pass through the center.

The height of the bush does not exceed 45 cm, and the width is 60 cm. Lavender flowers bloom in July-August.

When planting hosta “Mango-Tango” in an open area, the leaves acquire a golden sheen

Bressingham Blue

The plant forms a symmetrical vase-shaped bush. Its height reaches 50 cm, and its width is 60 cm. The leaves of this species are heart-shaped, with a smooth edge. The size of the plates reaches 15 cm in length and 10 cm in width. Shade blue-green. Large white flowers at the Bressingham Blue hybrid hosta bloom in the second half of July.

Hosta ‘Bressingham Blue’ is growing fast

Patriot

An outstanding view, which was bred in 1991. It is characterized by compact bushes, their height does not exceed 40 cm, and their width is 60-70 cm. The leaves are oval, dark green in color with an uneven white border. The length of the plates is 18 cm, and the width is 13 cm. Flowering occurs at the end of June.

Sometimes in this species, the shape of the leaves can be heart-shaped.

Golden Medallion

It is characterized by a compact bush 40-5 cm high and about 80 cm wide. The plates are round, slightly elongated. In the spring they have a yellow-green tint, and by the summer they become more yellow.

Hosta ‘Golden Medallion’ blooms in July

Color Hulk

A bright variety of culture with dense leaves of a golden yellow color with a dark green frame around the edge. The hybrid is characterized by restrained growth. The height of the bush is 35 cm, and the width is 70 cm. Flowering at the Color Hulk hybrid hosta occurs at the end of July.

The leaf blades of this species are slightly concave in the center.

First Mate

Dwarf type of culture. Characterized by narrow arrow-shaped leaves. The main color of the plates is golden, and a dark green uneven border runs along the edge. Flowers are light lilac.

‘First Mate’ developed from ‘Kabitan’

Twilight

A common variety that is characterized by fast growth. Forms bushes 40-50 cm high, 80 cm wide. The leaves are heart-shaped, dark green with a yellow border. The length of the plates is about 20 cm, and the width is 15 cm. Light lilac flowers appear in July.

The plates of this species are leathery with clearly defined grooves.

Winter Snow

This species is characterized by strong growth. Forms sprawling large bushes 60-80 cm high and 150 cm wide. Leaf plates are green with a changeable white border. They have a shiny surface. The flowers of the hybrid hosta “Winter Snow” are lavender.

This hybrid look is derived from “Sum and Substance”

Application in landscape design

A variety of shades of leaves, the ability to grow rapidly and unpretentiousness have made the host the most sought-after crop, which is used for landscaping the garden and home gardens. This plant goes well with conifers, ferns, geyhers and astilbes. It is also recommended to use the host as a frame for flower beds with annual flowering crops. This emphasizes their sophistication and gives the composition a finished look.

Features of the use of hosts in landscape design:

• undersized (up to 20 cm) – for rockeries, the first plan of multi-level flower beds, as a frame for ornamental shrubs and conifers;
• medium-sized (up to 45 cm) – in mixborders, to decorate ponds;
• tall (above 45 cm) – as a separate self-sufficient culture against the backdrop of a green lawn.

Planting and caring for a hybrid hosta

Hybrid hostas prefer light partial shade. But at the same time they can grow in the shade. Under such conditions, the bush develops more slowly, however, the size of the leaves and the height of the plant increase markedly.

The optimal period for planting this perennial is early spring or August-September. Seedlings must be selected with well-developed root shoots and 2-3 growth points.

This plant needs a well-drained soil. Therefore, when planting, peat and humus should be introduced into the soil.

The hole for the host must be prepared up to 30 cm wide and deep. In the center of it you need to make a small elevation, where to put the seedling. After that, gently straighten the roots, sprinkle them with earth and compact the surface. At the end of the procedure, the plant must be watered abundantly.

The root collar of the seedling should be at the level of the soil surface.

This perennial does not require much care. It is enough to loosen the soil at the base, remove weeds and water twice a week in the absence of rain. For the full development of the bushes, it is necessary that the substrate is always slightly moist, although the host also easily tolerates short-term drought.

During the period of active vegetation in spring, the plant should be fed with mullein 1:10 or nitroammophos 30 g per 10 liters. In June, it is necessary to re-fertilize, but already phosphorus-potassium. This perennial does not need to be covered for the winter, as it does not suffer from low temperatures down to -35-40 degrees.

Diseases and pests

This hybrid perennial has not only a beautiful appearance, but also resistance to diseases and pests. Thanks to this feature, it has become very popular among gardeners. But sometimes, if the growing rules do not match, the plant’s immunity decreases and then the susceptibility to pathogens increases.

Common problems:

1. Phyllostictosis. You can recognize the lesion by large brown spots on the leaves, which eventually merge into a single whole. The disease also affects flower stalks. As a result, it provokes tissue necrosis, which reduces the decorative effect. For treatment, it is necessary to use copper sulfate or colloidal sulfur. Repeat the treatment every 10 days until the signs of the disease disappear.

   

2. Slugs. This pest actively breeds in conditions of high humidity. It feeds on the young leaves of the plant, leaving holes in its wake. Hosts with narrow leaves are more affected. For destruction, it is necessary to scatter sharp rubble, broken brick or shell rock at the base of the bushes.

   

Conclusion

Hybrid hosta is a perennial that is characterized by high decorative qualities and unpretentious care. And the variety of species according to the color of the leaves and the height of the bush allows you to choose the most suitable options for landscaping the garden and the area near the house, pond.

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