H. ‘Nellie Grey’

Overview

'Nellie Grey' (2002) is a plain light green seedling of 'Don Quixote', a streaked plant whose own record says it is hard to set seed but gives good streaked seedlings. 'Nellie Grey' is not one of the streaked ones: the registration describes ovate, light green leaves with slightly rippled edges and a moderately wavy surface, 6 by 3.25 in (15.2 by 8.3 cm). A. Malloy is recorded as originator, namer, introducer and registrant; the pollen parent is unknown.

In the Garden

The plant is a mound, registered at 25 in (63.5 cm) across and 12 in high, with green scapes of 14 to 15 in.

How it compares

'Don Quixote', the seed parent, is registered much bigger, at 40 by 24 in, with dark green leaves carrying unstable streaks of yellow and celadon, very shiny underneath. Choose it if a streaked leaf matters more than a uniform one; 'Nellie Grey' is plain light green and registered smaller.

'Spartan Gem' (1989) is registered at almost the same size (24 by 14 in) but has narrower, dark satin green leaves (6 by 2.5 in), and its record notes deep burgundy scapes.

'Temple Bells' (1992) is registered at 18 by 12 in, with medium green, rippled leaves slightly shiny on both sides.

Flowers and other notes

The registration records pale lavender flowers from late July to mid-August but no growth rate. Beyond that, general advice applies: see our hosta care guide.

Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Nellie Grey' (#3997), 'Don Quixote' (#1471), 'Spartan Gem' (#5293) and 'Temple Bells' (#5641), hostaregistrar.org.