H. ‘Purple Rain’
Hosta ‘Purple Rain’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Section class | III-2 (Medium) |
Last checked against the AHS registry:
Overview
'Purple Rain' (2008) comes from a cross between two very unlike parents: 'Uncle Albert', a broad, light green plant registered at 50 in (127.0 cm) across, as the pod parent, and the small blue 'Halcyon' as the pollen parent. The result is a medium blue-green plant with a glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces.
In the Garden
The registered habit is upright with a moderate growth rate, at 35 in (88.9 cm) across and 12 in (30.5 cm) high. The ovate leaf is 9 in (22.9 cm) long and 5 in (12.7 cm) wide, with a cordate base and eight to ten vein pairs. The record calls the leaf moderately cupped, moderately folded and moderately wavy, with a slightly rippled edge.
How it compares
'Halcyon', the pollen parent, is 23 in (58.4 cm) across and 21 in (53.3 cm) high in the registry, with a much smaller 4 in (10.2 cm) by 3 in (7.6 cm) leaf. It was 2026 Hosta of the Year and won the Benedict Garden Performance Award in 2024.
'Simply Irresistible' (2014) is a sport of 'Purple Rain'. It keeps the glaucous bloom but turns the leaf yellow with a blue-green margin 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide, on a clump registered at 22 in (55.9 cm) by 10 in (25.4 cm) and green scapes of 12 to 14 in (30.5 to 35.6 cm).
'Catherine Ann' (1999) shares the show class and nearly the same spread, 36 in (91.4 cm), but stands 16 in (40.6 cm) tall with a broad, intensely blue-green leaf of 8.5 in (21.6 cm) by 7.5 in (19.1 cm) and recorded scapes.
Flowers and other notes
Moderate growth is the only cultural detail. The registry lists pale lavender flowers with lavender stripes, but no bloom season or scape height. See our hosta care guide for general culture.
Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Purple Rain' (#4517), 'Uncle Albert' (#5880), 'Halcyon' (#2422), 'Simply Irresistible' (#5173) and 'Catherine Ann' (#944), hostaregistrar.org; AHS Hosta of the Year booklet; AHS Benedict Garden Performance Award list.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 35 in (88.9 cm) |
| Leaf length | 9 in (22.9 cm) |
| Leaf width | 5 in (12.7 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 10 |
| Leaf | medium blue green slightly rippled margins; glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath; moderately cupped, moderately folded, moderately wavy |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Uncle Albert
- Pollen parent: H. 'Halcyon' — H. ‘Halcyon’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Purple Rain’ as a parent:
- H. ‘Simply Irresistible’ (sport)
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (III-2, medium size):
- H. ‘Catherine Ann’ (1999)
- H. ‘Bruce's Blue’ (1991)
- H. ‘Linde’ (1987)
- H. ‘Academy Cratered Blue’ (2008)
- H. ‘Her Eyes Were Blue’ (2008)
- H. ‘Jigger's Gift’ (2008)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #4517. How we check this data.