H. ‘Big Bad John’
Hosta ‘Big Bad John’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-7 (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2005, 'Big Bad John' is a giant hosta cultivar originating as a seedling from Hosta 'Dorothy Benedict' with an unknown pollen parent. This cultivar is visually distinctive for its large, broadly ovate blue-green leaves with white margins that display medium green streaked with golden yellow or creamy white, accompanied by a slightly shiny surface above and a glaucous bloom beneath.
In the Garden
'Big Bad John' reaches a mature spread of 54 inches (137.2 cm) in diameter and a height of 27 inches (68.6 cm), with upright foliage and a fast growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-green hostas, and its substantial size makes it suitable as a specimen plant or as a backdrop in mixed shade borders. The tall scapes, reaching 36 to 41 inches (91.4 to 104.1 cm), bear green flowers and rise well above the foliage, adding vertical interest.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage the foliage, though the moderately corrugated, thick leaves offer some resistance; monitor and manage as needed 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 | 27 in (68.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 54 in (137.2 cm) |
| Leaf length | 15.5 in (39.4 cm) |
| Leaf width | 11.5 in (29.2 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 17 |
| Leaf | medium green streaked with golden yellow or creamy white slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; slightly shiny with glaucous bloom underneath; moderately wavy, moderately corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 36–41 in (91.4–104.1 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | Giant glossy, rippled seedling from H. 'Dorothy Benedict', golden yellow streaking, tall scapes, colors hold until fall |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: F-1 seedling of H. 'Dorothy Benedict' — H. ‘Dorothy Benedict’
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-7, giant size):
- H. ‘Niagara on the Lake’ (2003)
- H. ‘Northern Mystery’ (2009)
- H. ‘Galaxy’ (1987)
- H. ‘Gathering of Eagles’ (2005)
- H. ‘King of the Hill’ (2005)
- H. ‘Queen of the Hill’ (2005)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #482. How we check this data.