H. ‘Gay Nineties’
Hosta ‘Gay Nineties’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-4b (Small) |
Overview
Registered in 1994, *Hosta* 'Gay Nineties' is a small-sized cultivar resulting from a cross between *H. 'William Lachman'* (pod parent) and *H. montana* (pollen parent). The plant is visually defined by its dark green leaves with broad, white, slightly rippled margins and a pronounced contrast between the slightly shiny upper surface and very shiny underside.
In the Garden
'Gay Nineties' forms a compact, mound-like clump reaching 11 inches (27.9 cm) in height and 21 inches (53.3 cm) in diameter. It is suitable for partial to full shade in typical hosta-growing zones, where its small stature makes it an effective edging plant or accent in rock gardens and container plantings. The dark green scapes, 20 to 23 inches (50.8 to 58.4 cm) tall, bear pale lavender flowers in midsummer.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage foliage, so monitoring and protective measures are advisable in susceptible gardens.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 11 in (27.9 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 21 in (53.3 cm) |
| Leaf length | 4.5 in (11.4 cm) |
| Leaf width | 3.5 in (8.9 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 10 |
| Leaf | dark green with .63in (1.6cm) wide, white, slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; very shiny underneath |
| Flower scape height | 20–23 in (50.8–58.4 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'William Lachman' — H. ‘William Lachman’
- Pollen parent: H. montana
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-4b, small size):
- H. ‘Dew Drop’ (1988)
- H. ‘Bold Edger’ (1983)
- H. ‘Sydney's Spunk’ (2007)
- H. ‘Allan P. McConnell’ (1980)
- H. ‘August Fire’ (2008)
- H. ‘Zager's White Edge’ (1980)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #2027