H. ‘Kong’

Overview

'Kong' (1990), registered by C. Soules, is recorded as a hybrid of H. sieboldiana with blue-green leaves. Its registration is short, but the one figure that stands out is spread: 70 in (177.8 cm) across, the widest of the blue giants compared here.

In the Garden

The clump is listed at 29 in (73.7 cm) high, against the 70 in spread. Leaves are 15 in (38.1 cm) long and 10 in (25.4 cm) wide with 15 vein pairs. Scapes reach 30 to 32 in (76.2 to 81.3 cm). The record leaves out habit, growth rate, leaf surface and shape, so beyond color and size there is little to go on.

How it compares

'Gentle Giant' (2005) almost matches the width at 68 in (172.7 cm) but is registered far taller, 42 in (106.7 cm), as upright and fast-growing. Its intensely blue-green leaf is nearly round, 13 in (33.0 cm) by 12 in (30.5 cm), deeply cupped and corrugated, and its lavender scapes climb to 48 to 55 in (121.9 to 139.7 cm).

'Helen Doriot' (1982) is the closest to 'Kong' in shape: 65 in (165.1 cm) wide and 28 in (71.1 cm) high, also blue-green. Its registered leaf is larger, 17 in (43.2 cm) by 14 in (35.6 cm) with 16 vein pairs, and its parentage is known: 'Frances Williams' × 'Elegans'. Its flowers are recorded as white, against the pale lavender of 'Kong'.

'Krossa Regal' (1980), a hybrid of H. nigrescens, is registered at 36 in (91.4 cm) both ways, upright, with narrower blue-gray leaves and scapes recorded at 72 in (182.9 cm). It received a Benedict Award of Merit in 2008.

Flowers and other notes

Pale lavender flowers, recorded in Indiana, are the only bloom detail on file; there are no dates. See our hosta growing guide for general care.

Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Kong' (#3099), 'Gentle Giant' (#2049), 'Helen Doriot' (#2503) and 'Krossa Regal' (#3109), hostaregistrar.org; AHS Benedict Garden Performance Award list.