What is it, Hosta or Plantain lily

Discussion in 'Plant ID' started by RJ, May 17, 2011.

  1. RJ

    RJ New Seed

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    I Can't remember if i purchased this plant or if it was given to me. The plant grows 2+ feet tall has a blueish-green foliage and I believe light purple blooms. I think it might be a hosta variety but I'm not quite sure of the species. Any verification would be appreiciated. :?:

    [​IMG]
    ( photo / image / picture from RJ's Garden )
     
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  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Plantain Lily is a common name for Hosta.
    I only have two after this past winter and neither looks like yours so I can't help with the ID but Netty, Droopy and some others have loads of Hosta and will probably be able to help you out.
     
  4. RJ

    RJ New Seed

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    Thanx Toni

    The species is a very attractive addition. I would like a few more, this one is too small to separate yet. I've planted 5 other varieties of hosta in the shady areas. No other plant will be as hardy in shade as these. This one has the Blush-green color and depth that seems to fit in my landscape well.
     
  5. Philip Nulty

    Philip Nulty Strong Ash

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    Hi RJ,
    i don't have Hostas in my garden,..but a friend has and i recall a Hosta very similar to yours,..only because of its name,..'Abba Dabba Do',..and it looked exactly like yours,..HOWEVER,..we will wait for someone more experienced in Hostas to name yours correctly,..mine is a guess.
     



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  6. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Nice Hosta! :D

    There are lots and lots of blue-leaved Hostas out there. If you search for "Hosta blue" on the net you'll get near to five million hits.

    Is the way of growth shown in the photo it's habitual way of growing? The leaves are hanging down, not standing up or pointing out?

    Philip's Abba Dabba Doo has a white edge. Yours is all blue, correct?

    The H. sieboldiana-group have a hanging way of growth, so it might be a hybrid from this group. There's one called "Blue Angel" that looks very similar to yours, but it's supposed to grow to near 3 ft not 2.

    The Hosta montana-group also has a hanging growth form, so it might be one of those as well.

    If you check the Hosta Library and click your way to the "Blue"-section it starts with Blue Angel, ends with Blue Wonder, and all the blue ones starting with another letter, like "Hadspen Blue" aren't even mentioned in that section. :rolleyes:

    I won't recommend entering the Hosta Library unless it's a very rainy, cold day and you feel like doing nothing for a few hours. :D I frequently loose myself in there.

    I'm sorry I couldn't help you better, but ID-ing hostas are becoming more and more difficult due to all the different breeders who manage to raise a hybrid and name it just as a hybrid looking just like it is raised and named somewhere else on Earth. We had "Blue Boy" and "Blue Cadet" in our garden. I picked five leaves off Blue Boy and put them into Blue Cadet while my husband watched. Then I asked him to pick them back out. He couldn't. The ones he were certain I'd put in weren't. :D The botanists can tell the difference. It has to do with pollen bearers and stem cells or whatever. I also stood at a Hosta specialist, holding two different Hostas and I couldn't see which was which.

    Hopefully somebody else will come along and help you better.
     
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  7. RJ

    RJ New Seed

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    Thanks Droopy

    The hosta was too close to the fence so I just moved it a foot over. It does have a blue green tint to the leaves. I might venture to the farmers greenhouse down the road. If I purchased the plant it would be from there or maybe the Home depo. The picture is a bit too green after comparing it with the plant. I'll get a better pic with my high resolution camera. I could always take the photo with me and compare it with the market plants.

    Thanks for the info RJ
     

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