H. ‘Abiqua Elephant Ears’
Hosta ‘Abiqua Elephant Ears’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-2 (Giant) |
Last checked against the AHS registry:
Overview
'Abiqua Elephant Ears' (1999) is a large blue-green hosta recorded as a hybrid of a H. sieboldiana seedling. The registry gives a single leaf color, blue green, with a glaucous bloom on both the upper and lower surfaces. It is also the recorded sport parent of 'Betty's Glory'.
In the Garden
It is registered as a mound 30 in (76.2 cm) high and 60 in (152.4 cm) in diameter. The leaves are 17 in (43.2 cm) long and 11.5 in (29.2 cm) wide, with a cordate base and 13 to 14 vein pairs.
How it compares
'Helen Doriot' (1982), in the same show class and also blue green, has a leaf of the same 17 in (43.2 cm) length but wider, at 14 in (35.6 cm), with 16 vein pairs. It is registered at 28 in (71.1 cm) high and 65 in (165.1 cm) across, from 'Frances Williams' crossed with 'Elegans'. Choose 'Helen Doriot' for the broader leaf; 'Abiqua Elephant Ears' is the one registered with a glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces.
'Kong' (1990), like 'Abiqua Elephant Ears' a hybrid of H. sieboldiana, is registered wider still at 70 in (177.8 cm), 29 in (73.7 cm) high, with a smaller blue green leaf of 15 in (38.1 cm) by 10 in (25.4 cm) and 15 vein pairs.
'Betty's Glory' (2014), its sport, changes the color: yellow leaves with a 2 in (5.1 cm) green, serrated margin, 16 in (40.6 cm) by 12 in (30.5 cm), on an upright plant 24 in (61.0 cm) high and 36 in (91.4 cm) across.
Flowers and other notes
Glaucous scapes are recorded at 40 to 46 in (101.6 to 116.8 cm). Flower color and bloom dates are not part of the entry. For light, water and slugs, see the general hosta care guide.
Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Abiqua Elephant Ears' (#63), 'Helen Doriot' (#2503), 'Kong' (#3099), 'Betty's Glory' (#475), hostaregistrar.org.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 60 in (152.4 cm) |
| Leaf length | 17 in (43.2 cm) |
| Leaf width | 11.5 in (29.2 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 14 |
| Leaf | glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath |
| Flower scape height | 40–46 in (101.6–116.8 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: Hybrid of H. sieboldiana seedling
1 published registry record names Hosta ‘Abiqua Elephant Ears’ as a parent: 1 sport.
Sports of H. ‘Abiqua Elephant Ears’ (1), by registration year
- H. ‘Betty's Glory’ (2014)
From the pod, pollen and sport parent fields of American Hosta Society Registry records.
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-2, giant size):
- H. ‘Gentle Giant’ (2005)
- H. ‘Kong’ (1990)
- H. ‘Helen Doriot’ (1982)
- H. ‘Krossa Regal’ (1980)
- H. ‘Academy Blue Titan’ (1999)
- H. ‘Albert Lea’ (1999)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #63. How we check this data.