H. ‘Little John’
Hosta ‘Little John’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-2 (Giant) |
Overview
Registered in 2000, *Hosta* 'Little John' is a giant hybrid derived from *Hosta* 'Big Daddy', notable for its substantial blue-green foliage and imposing dimensions. The cultivar produces leaves up to 14 inches (35.6 cm) long and 11 inches (27.9 cm) wide, with 14 to 17 pairs of veins, slightly rippled margins, and a flat base; the leaf surface is slightly shiny above and dull beneath.
In the Garden
'Little John' reaches a mature spread of approximately 70 inches (177.8 cm) in diameter and a height of 38 inches (96.5 cm), making it suitable as a specimen or focal point in shaded borders and woodland gardens. It performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green coloration is most pronounced, and pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials. Its large size precludes container cultivation for most settings.
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; monitor regularly and employ control measures as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 38 in (96.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 70 in (177.8 cm) |
| Leaf length | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 11 in (27.9 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 17 |
| Leaf | intensely blue green slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; dull underneath |
| Flower scape height | 30–36 in (76.2–91.4 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: Hybrid of H. 'Big Daddy' — H. ‘Big Daddy’
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. ‘Hirao Zeus’ (1997)
- H. ‘Eola Sapphire’ (2004)
- H. ‘Cool Change’ (1995)
- H. ‘Gentle Giant’ (2005)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #3449