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Hosta 'Halcyon' 23 July 2025 |
Hosta 'Halcyon' & Rosemary's Elegance
The "Tardiana" group of hostas was hybridized by Eric Smith. He developed this group of blue-leaved hostas by crossing Hosta tardiflora with Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'. This cross was significant because H. tardiflora blooms late in the season, while H. sieboldiana 'Elegans' blooms in the spring. The resulting hybrids, known as the Tardiana group, are known for their blue-green foliage and varying flower colors and bloom times.
Today I became obsessed in scanning the flowers of Hosta ‘Halcyon’. It is because of Rosemary that since we started gardening in 1986 I began to notice the little details of plants. Because we had a shady garden in that Kerrisdale garden in 1986 I kept reading about shade tolerant (never loving!) hostas. At a nearby house that was being demolished we took our spades and a wheelbarrow to “liberate” some plants. She pointed at one and said, “Alex, this is a hosta.” That began my adventure with hostas and I was soon a member of the American Hosta Society.
Everybody who loves hostas oos and ahhs about the variegated leaves but discount considering their flowers. When I look closely at these flowers (thank you Rosemary) I see not only beauty but also something that to me resembles Swedish modern design.
I have written before about the beauty of hosta flowers. Link is above.
Tardianas (explained above) in my books have the most interesting and elegant flowers. Their only competition will come in August when Hosta plantaginea and their hybrids will enfold their white and fragrant flowers. Hosta plantaginea is often called the August Lily.
Below are the scans I did today. A couple are from July 13th.