H. ‘Star Spangled Banner’

Hosta 'Star Spangled Banner'
Illustration: The Hosta Farm Editorial Team.

Hosta ‘Star Spangled Banner’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2002
Section classII-7 (Large)

Overview

Registered in 2002, *Hosta* 'Star Spangled Banner' is a large cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, derived from a selfed seedling of *H.* 'Galaxy'. It is visually distinctive for its intensely blue-green, velvety leaves with broad, unstable gold margins that frequently streak into the leaf center with shades of greenish yellow, light yellow, and dark green.

In the Garden

This cultivar reaches a mature height of 34 inches (86.4 cm) and a spread of 27 inches (68.6 cm), with an upright, moderately fast growth habit. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-leaved hostas, and its bold foliage makes it suitable as a specimen or in mixed shade borders. Companion plants include ferns, *Heuchera*, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. While not especially prone to slug damage, standard preventative measures are advisable in damp conditions.

Size and leaf

Clump height34 in (86.4 cm)
Clump width27 in (68.6 cm)
Leaf length9.25 in (23.5 cm)
Leaf width7.25 in (18.4 cm)
Leafblue green with unstable streaks of dark green, greenish yellow, light yellow and yellow slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; glaucous bloom underneath; moderately flat
Flower scape height35–41 in (88.9–104.1 cm)
Notable characteristicsvelvet, intensely blue-green, rippled leaves streaked throughout with yellow hues

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-7, large size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #5362