H. ‘Kevin Kelley’
Hosta ‘Kevin Kelley’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Section class | III-3 (Medium) |
Overview
Registered in 1996, *Hosta* 'Kevin Kelley' is a medium-sized cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *H.* 'Sum and Substance' as the pod parent. It is visually distinctive for its very shiny green leaves with flat, light greenish yellow margins and cordate leaf bases.
In the Garden
This cultivar forms a mound-like clump reaching 20 inches (50.8 cm) in height and 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for hostas, and its glossy foliage provides textural contrast when paired with finer-leaved perennials such as ferns or *Heuchera*. Its medium size makes it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in shaded beds.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it may require protection from slugs and deer in garden settings.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 20 in (50.8 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 36 in (91.4 cm) |
| Leaf length | 6 in (15.2 cm) |
| Leaf width | 5 in (12.7 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 8 |
| Leaf | light greenish yellow flat margins; very shiny on top; slightly shiny underneath |
| Flower scape height | 12–18 in (30.5–45.7 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Sum and Substance' — H. ‘Sum and Substance’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Kevin Kelley’ as a parent:
- H. ‘Olympic Torch’ (seedling (pod parent))
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (III-3, medium size):
- H. ‘Aladdin's Lamp’ (1996)
- H. ‘August Moon’ (1996)
- H. ‘Fried Bananas’ (1994)
- H. ‘Lydia Scheu’ (1999)
- H. ‘World Cup’ (2006)
- H. ‘Glen Fetish’ (2008)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #2999