H. ‘Sea Octopus’
Hosta ‘Sea Octopus’ is a registered cultivar () , originated by M. Seaver.
| Year registered | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Registrant | M. Seaver |
| Section class | III-1 (Medium) |
Last checked against the AHS registry:
Overview
'Sea Octopus' was registered by M. Seaver in 1981 as an open-pollinated seedling of 'Sea Sprite'. The leaf is the story: matte green, 12 in (30.5 cm) long but only 3 in (7.6 cm) wide, with undulating edges and a tapered base.
In the Garden
The proportions in the registration are unusual. The clump is registered at 9 in (22.9 cm) high and 16 in (40.6 cm) across, with the 12 in leaf. The scapes are registered at 33 to 40 in (83.8 to 101.6 cm). The flowers are recorded as purple.
How it compares
'Tall Twister' (1973) has the most similar leaf: just as long and narrow, 12 by 2 in, medium green with ruffled edges, but on a clump 12 in high and 12 in across, against 9 by 16 in for 'Sea Octopus'. Its scapes are lower, at 24 in.
'Sea Sprite', its seed parent, is registered at 6 in across and 4 in high, with a chartreuse leaf only 6 by 1 in.
'Lucille' (2001) is the opposite texture: a broad, very shiny dark green leaf, 9 by 5 in, with a piecrust edge, on an upright clump 30 in across and 18 in high. Pick it if a broad, glossy leaf matters more than the long, narrow blade; 'Sea Octopus' has the strappy matte leaf.
Flowers and other notes
The registration gives no growth rate or bloom dates, only purple flowers from a clump grown in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. Planting, watering and slug control are covered in our general hosta care guide.
Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Sea Octopus' (#5012), 'Tall Twister' (#5608), 'Sea Sprite' (#5018) and 'Lucille' (#3551), hostaregistrar.org.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 9 in (22.9 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
| Leaf length | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
| Leaf width | 3 in (7.6 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 5 |
| Leaf | mat green undulating margins |
| Flower scape height | 33–40 in (83.8–101.6 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: open pollinated seedling of H. 'Sea Sprite' — H. ‘Sea Sprite’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Sea Octopus’ as a parent:
- H. ‘OHS Calamari’ (sport)
- H. ‘Passionate Purple’ (seedling (pollen parent))
- H. ‘Red Stilts’ (seedling (pod parent))
- H. ‘Reefed Sails’ (seedling (pollen parent))
- H. ‘Tentacles’ (seedling (pollen parent))
- H. ‘Undertow’ (seedling (pollen parent))
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (III-1, medium size):
- H. ‘Green Furrows’ (1981)
- H. ‘Dragon's Blood’ (1998)
- H. ‘Morning Angel’ (2000)
- H. ‘Lucille’ (2001)
- H. ‘Free Jazz’ (2011)
- H. ‘Floramora’ (2012)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5012. How we check this data.