H. ‘Stars and Stripes’

Overview

'Stars and Stripes' was registered in 2000 by R. Simmering of Bettendorf, Iowa, who is listed as originator, namer, introducer and registrant. The pod parent was a hybrid of 'Color Fantasy'; no pollen parent is named. Its leaf is medium blue-green with streaks, carries a glaucous bloom on the upper surface, is slightly shiny beneath and has slightly rippled edges.

In the Garden

The registry describes a mound 26 in (66.0 cm) across and 12 in (30.5 cm) high with a moderate growth rate, measured on a clump that was six years old at registration. The leaves are broad, 5.5 in long by 4.5 in wide. Pale lavender, bell-shaped flowers are listed, and the seed entry notes streaked pods.

How it compares

'Lodikito' sits in the same show class and is the closest match on the figures. It was registered in 2013 with dark green leaves streaked pale yellow and cream, dull rather than glaucous, on a mound registered at 23.125 in across. Its registrant called the pattern a unique streaked variegation, while 'Stars and Stripes' keeps a blue cast that 'Lodikito' lacks. Pick 'Lodikito' if yellow and cream streaks on dark green matter more than a blue cast; 'Stars and Stripes' has the blue-green leaf with a glaucous bloom.

'Color Fantasy' is the parent line. That 1980 registration has a much longer, narrower leaf, 10 in by 4 in, mixing cream, chartreuse and green, on a mound registered at 18 in across. Pick the parent if a long, multicolored leaf matters more than a blue tone; 'Stars and Stripes' has the broader blue-green leaf.

'Cosmic Sister' is a streaked mound registered at 32 in across, with greenish-white and greenish-yellow streaks, and its record also mentions streaked pods with viable seed.

Flowers and other notes

Scapes are registered at 15 to 18 in (38.1 to 45.7 cm). Whether the streaking holds steady from one division to the next is not recorded. For planting, watering and slugs see our hosta care guide.

Sources: AHS Registry records for 'Stars and Stripes' (#5374), 'Color Fantasy' (#1122), 'Lodikito' (#3489) and 'Cosmic Sister' (#1207), hostaregistrar.org.