H. ‘Free Jazz’

Overview

'Free Jazz' (2011) carries its variegation in an odd place. The leaves are plain medium green, ovate and slightly shiny on both sides, but the scapes are medium green streaked with creamy white. The registrant states that every division keeps the streaking and that it reproduces in tissue culture, a claim about stability that a buyer of a streaked plant will want to see. The pod parent is 'William Lachman'; the pollen parent is listed as unknown.

In the Garden

It is registered as mound-like and fast-growing, at 27 in (68.6 cm) across and 15.4 in (39.1 cm) high. The streaked stems, 18.5 to 22.2 in (47.0 to 56.4 cm) tall, carry the variegation; the leaf itself is recorded as medium green.

How it compares

Its parent 'William Lachman' (1981) is the reverse case: a plant registered at 10 by 6 in whose blue-green leaves are themselves streaked. If you want streaking on the foliage, the parent has it; 'Free Jazz' has plain leaves, a larger registered size and a fast registered growth rate, where the parent's record gives no rate.

'Floramora' (2012), from H. plantaginea on the pollen side, is the same show class and similar size (30 by 16 in, also fast). Its record lists black scapes and large fragrant white flowers in September, so it is the pick if scent and late bloom matter more than stem streaks.

'Lucille' (2001) is a green alternative grown for the leaf: very shiny dark green on both surfaces, with a piecrust margin and heavy substance according to its record, on an upright clump of 30 by 18 in. Pick it if leaf gloss and texture matter more than the stems.

Flowers and other notes

Its pale lavender flowers are recorded from early July to early August in Belgium; the stability claim comes from the registrant. For general care, see our hosta care guide.

Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Free Jazz' (#1930), 'William Lachman' (#6144), 'Floramora' (#1821) and 'Lucille' (#3551), hostaregistrar.org.