H. ‘Back Bay’
Hosta ‘Back Bay’ is a registered cultivar () , originated by AHS, K. Walek.
| Year registered | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Registrant | AHS, K. Walek |
| Section class | II-2 (Large) |
Overview
Registered in 2009 by K. Walek (AHS), Hosta 'Back Bay' is a large blue-green cultivar derived from an F6 blue line descended from H. 'Blue Lace' and H. 'Polly Bishop'. It is visually distinctive for its broadly ovate to near-round leaves with deeply rippled, deeply corrugated margins and a heavy glaucous bloom on both surfaces, giving the foliage a matte, powder-blue appearance.
In the Garden
'Back Bay' forms a semi-upright to mounding clump reaching 23 inches (58.4 cm) in height and 38 inches (96.5 cm) in diameter. The leaves measure 10 inches (25.4 cm) long by 7.5 inches (19.1 cm) wide, with 12 vein pairs and a moderately cupped, cordate base. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-leaved hostas, where the glaucous bloom is best preserved. Companion plants include ferns, Heuchera, and other shade-tolerant perennials; its large size makes it unsuitable for small containers.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring. The heavy glaucous bloom may be marred by overhead watering or handling; slug and deer damage is possible in typical hosta-growing zones.
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 | 23 in (58.4 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 38 in (96.5 cm) |
| Leaf length | 10 in (25.4 cm) |
| Leaf width | 7.5 in (19.1 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 12 |
| Leaf | medium blue-green rippled margins; heavy glaucous bloom on top; heavy glaucous bloom underneath; moderately cupped; deeply rippled, deeply corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 24 in (61.0 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: F6 blue line descended from H. 'Blue Lace' and H. 'Polly Bishop' — H. ‘Blue Lace’, H. ‘Polly Bishop’
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-2, large size):
- H. ‘Aksarben’ (1988)
- H. ‘Abraham Lincoln’ (2009)
- H. ‘Bam Bam Blue’ (2009)
- H. ‘Blue Chiffon’ (2009)
- H. ‘Blue Ripples’ (2009)
- H. ‘Blue Tips’ (2009)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #383. How we check this data.