H. ‘Little Boy’
Hosta ‘Little Boy’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-2 (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2001, *Hosta* 'Little Boy' is a giant blue-green cultivar resulting from a cross between *H. 'Big Daddy'* and *H. 'Love Pat'*. It is visually distinctive for its intensely blue, heavily corrugated, nearly round leaves with a heavy glaucous bloom on both surfaces, a trait it retains late into the growing season.
In the Garden
'Little Boy' reaches a mature spread of 72 inches (182.9 cm) and a height of 30 inches (76.2 cm), with a slow to medium growth rate. It performs well in bright light, where its blue coloration holds well, and is suitable for typical hosta-growing zones as a specimen or in mixed shade borders. Its large, cupped leaves with broadly wavy margins pair effectively with finer-textured perennials such as ferns or astilbes.
Care Notes
Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. The thick, corrugated leaves provide good slug resistance, but standard deer deterrents may be necessary in areas with high deer pressure.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 72 in (182.9 cm) |
| Leaf length | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
| Leaf width | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 20 |
| Leaf | intensely blue slightly rippled margins; heavy glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath |
| Flower scape height | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
| Seasonal colour change | holds blue late into summer, then satiny dark green |
| Notable characteristics | extremely blue, corrugated, with great substance; does well in bright light; holds blue late into the season. |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Big Daddy' — H. ‘Big Daddy’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Love Pat' — H. ‘Love Pat’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Little Boy’ as a parent:
- H. ‘Pro Tek Tor’ (seedling (pod parent))
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-2, giant size):
- H. ‘Big and Blue’ (2000)
- H. ‘Abiqua Elephant Ears’ (1999)
- H. ‘Eola Sapphire’ (2004)
- H. ‘Gentle Giant’ (2005)
- H. ‘Hirao Zeus’ (1997)
- H. ‘Clear Fork River Valley’ (2007)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #3429