H. ‘Andy Murray’

Overview

'Andy Murray' is a 2013 registration from R. Solberg with an unusual pedigree written into the record. The pod parent is a streaked F1 seedling of the green giant 'Big Boy', and the pollen parent a seedling known as 'Longiana Blue'. The registrant describes the result as a variegated form of that 'Longiana Blue' plant: medium blue-green leaves with a broad, irregular cream-to-white margin that juts in toward the midrib, plus random golden yellow flashes that can show near the outer edge. The registry gives that margin as 1 to 1.5 in (2.5 to 3.8 cm) wide, yellow and white.

In the Garden

Because the margin is irregular and the yellow flashes are described as random, no two leaves are likely to match, and a plant bought for a perfectly even edge may disappoint. The record gives a moderate growth rate and blue-green scapes of 36 to 40 in (91.4 to 101.6 cm); the mound is registered at 18 in (45.7 cm) high.

How it compares

'Big Boy', the grandparent on the seed side, is a plain forest-green plant registered at 48 by 36 in with leaves of 16.5 by 14 in; 'Andy Murray' keeps a large leaf (12 by 8 in) on a mound registered at half the height (18 in against 36 in) and adds the blue cast and variegation.

'Sagae' sits in the same show class with a similar leaf, 12.5 by 9.5 in, but its margin is pale yellow on a dull yellow-green leaf, with no blue. It was registered as a narrower, taller clump, 26 in across and 20 in high against 39 by 18 in, and it was AHGA Hosta of the Year in 2000. 'Andy Murray' has no award in the sources we checked; it has the blue cast and the white in the margin that 'Sagae' lacks.

'Yellow Flash', a sport of 'Sagae', is registered as upright and wider, 47 in across and 21 in high, with light green leaves and a narrow 0.5 in yellow margin. Pick it if a narrow yellow edge matters more than leaf color; it lacks the blue cast and the broad, irregular margin that set 'Andy Murray' apart.

Flowers and other notes

The registry records pale lavender, tubular flowers from mid-July to mid-August in Franklinton, North Carolina, and viable seed in green pods. The 39 in (99.1 cm) width was measured on a three-year-old seedling, so it is registration data, not a mature size. Its comments reference the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society without saying more. For siting and upkeep, use the hosta care guide.

Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Andy Murray' (#270), 'Big Boy' (#484), 'Sagae' (#4906) and 'Yellow Flash' (#6227), hostaregistrar.org; AHS Hosta of the Year booklet, 3rd edition.