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First Frost
Issue 30 | June 2009    
                   
  Welcome to the 30th issue of our newsletter
This month we continue our look at the the origins of h. 'Dorothy Benedict' with a newsletter about her grandparent, h. sieboldiana 'Elegans'.
This hosta can boast parentage to a suprising range of cultivars, read on to find out more...
 
                   
                   
 
H. sieboldiana 'Elegans'
The following table lists sports, hybrids and crosses from h. sieboldiana 'Elegans' that we have in our collection. The list is arranged chronologically with unregistered cultivars listed in the side column:
H. 'Blue Umbrellas' is a cross with h. 'Tokudama' registered in 1978
H. 'Regal Ruffles' is a cross with h. 'Ruffles' registered in 1980
H. 'Helen Doriot' is a cross with h. 'Frances Williams' registered in 1982
H. 'George Smith' is a sport registered in 1983
H. 'Irische See' is a cross with h. 'Tardiflora' registered in 1983
H. 'Lilac Giant' is a hybrid registered in 1983
H. 'Puckered Giant' is a hybrid registered in 1983
H. 'Northern Halo' is a sport registered in 1984
H. 'Frances Williams' is a sport registered in 1986
H. 'Northern Sunray' is a sport registered in 1987
H. 'Brigadier' is a cross with h. 'Hirao Supreme' registered in 1988
H. 'Great Expectations' is a sport registered in 1988
H. 'Nightlife' is a cross with h. 'Invincible' registered in 1988
H. 'Northern Mist' is a sport registered in 1988
H. 'Northern Exposure' is a sport registered in 1997
H. 'Metallic Sheen' is a cross with h. 'Sum and Substance' registered in 1999
H. 'Stonewall' is a sport registered in 2001
We will complete this mini parentage story
in the August issue of the newsletter.
As some hostas are losing the vibrancy of their
spring variegation we think it is a good time to
return to the subject of viridescence.
PSST...another website milestone
We recorded over 824,000 hits for May - a huge thank you to all our readers.
   

H. sieboldiana 'Elegans'
Although little is known about h. sieboldiana 'Elegans', breeders have used it extensively to produce cultivars featuring the fabulous colouring and rugosity of the leaves.

H. sieboldiana 'Elegans'
sieboldiana Elegans Registered by the AHS
in 1987.

The Tardiana Group
Some of the most popular modern hosta cultivars are the result of breeding
h. sieboldiana
'Elegans'
and h. 'Tardiflora' to create the Tardiana Group. This sub-division of the genus has produced classic cultivars such as h. 'June' and h. 'Touch of Class'.
Find out more...

We also have several unregistered sports, hybrids and crosses of
h. sieboldiana
'Elegans'
, in our collection - see overleaf:

Barbara Ann
H. 'Barbara Ann'
is an eye-catching sport

H. 'North Atlantic' is a cross with h. 'Tardiflora'

Golden Meadows
H. 'Golden Meadows'
is a viridescent sport

H. 'Oder' is a cross with
h. 'Tardiflora'

H
. 'Paradise Blue Sky'
is a cross with h. pycnophylla

H
. 'Prince of Wales'
is a cross with h. 'Montana'

H
. 'Serena'
is a cross with h. 'Tardiflora'


H. 'Temptation'
is a stunning sport

H. 'Thunderbolt'
is a sport

 
     
 
Next month: We return to the subject of viridescence in hostas.
     
             
  The advice and opinions contained within this monthly newsletter have been formed over more than 30 years of experience with the Hosta genus. We are constantly learning and refining that knowledge and would welcome any suggestions that readers of this newsletter would like to make so please contact us.  
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