H. ‘Niagara on the Lake’
Hosta ‘Niagara on the Lake’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Section class | I-7 (Giant) |
Last checked against the AHS registry:
Overview
'Niagara on the Lake' (2003) is a large streaked hosta. The registration lists it as a sport of H. nigrescens 'Elatior', and the registration is frank about its nature: the green leaf carries "unstable streaks" of yellow and golden yellow. It also records a seasonal shift, noted as a slight change of yellow to green.
In the Garden
The registered clump is upright, 61 in (154.9 cm) across and 29 in (73.7 cm) high, with a fast growth rate. The ovate leaves measure 17 in (43.2 cm) by 9.5 in (24.1 cm), with 13 prominent vein pairs, a cordate base, a slightly shiny top and a dull underside; they are lightly folded and lightly corrugated. The scapes are recorded as branched, green with white streaks, and 50 to 56 in (127.0 to 142.2 cm) tall.
How it compares
'Elatior', the registered parent, is a plain medium green plant of 2002 registration, upright and registered much smaller at 34 in (86.4 cm) by 14.5 in (36.8 cm), and noted for its tall scape of 57 in (144.8 cm). Choose it if a plain green leaf matters more than streaking; the sport has the streaks and is registered far larger.
'Northern Mystery' (2009), a sport of 'Northern Mist', is another streaked plant in the same show class. It is registered lower and semi-upright, 48 in (121.9 cm) across and 19 in (48.3 cm) high, with misted green-and-white centers, a 2 in (5.1 cm) blue-green margin, a glaucous bloom and deep corrugation.
'Galaxy' (1987), from 'Beatrice' hybrid × 'Frances Williams', has a long, narrow creamy yellow leaf mottled green, 19 in (48.3 cm) by 8 in (20.3 cm), on a clump registered at 30 in (76.2 cm) across.
Flowers and other notes
The record states fast growth and calls the streaking unstable, but does not describe how the pattern changes over time or between divisions. Near-white flowers striped with lavender are recorded from early July to early August. Basic culture is in our hosta growing guide.
Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Niagara on the Lake' (#4013), 'Elatior' (#1575), 'Northern Mystery' (#4055) and 'Galaxy' (#2005), hostaregistrar.org.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 29 in (73.7 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 61 in (154.9 cm) |
| Leaf length | 17 in (43.2 cm) |
| Leaf width | 9.5 in (24.1 cm) |
| Leaf | slightly shiny on top; dull underneath; lightly folded and lightly corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 50–56 in (127.0–142.2 cm) |
| Seasonal colour change | slight change of yellow to green |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-7, giant size):
- H. ‘Northern Mystery’ (2009)
- H. ‘Galaxy’ (1987)
- H. ‘All This and Heaven Too’ (2003)
- H. ‘Big Mamma's House’ (2003)
- H. ‘Blizzard’ (2003)
- H. ‘Blockbuster’ (2003)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #4013. How we check this data.