H. ‘American King of the Woods’
Hosta ‘American King of the Woods’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-2 (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2007 as a selfed seedling of Hosta 'Elegans', 'American King of the Woods' is a giant cultivar distinguished by its intensely corrugated, blue-green foliage with heavily elevated veins and segmented crimping between veins. The leaves are nearly round with cordate bases, measuring up to 19 inches (48.3 cm) long and 16 inches (40.6 cm) wide, with 18 to 20 vein pairs, glaucous bloom on both surfaces, and lightly wavy, intensely blue-green margins.
In the Garden
This cultivar forms a dense, fast-growing mound reaching 36 inches (91.4 cm) in height and 60 inches (152.4 cm) in diameter, making it suitable as a specimen or focal point in partial to full shade. Its substantial size and bold texture pair well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast with its blue-green coloration. Due to its large dimensions, it is not recommended for container cultivation.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in warmer climates, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. While slugs and deer may occasionally feed on the foliage, the thick, corrugated leaves offer some resistance compared to smoother-leaved cultivars; typical hosta-growing zones are appropriate for this selection.
This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 36 in (91.4 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 60 in (152.4 cm) |
| Leaf length | 19 in (48.3 cm) |
| Leaf width | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 20 |
| Leaf | intensely blue-green slightly rippled margins; glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath; lightly wavy, intensely corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 33–36 in (83.8–91.4 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | giant mound, intensely puckered, intensely elevated veins, segmented crimping between veins |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Elegans' selfed
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘American King of the Woods’ as a parent:
- H. ‘American Yeti’ (seedling (pod parent))
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. ‘Agawa’ (2007)
- H. ‘Algonquin’ (2007)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #238. How we check this data.