H. ‘Tristesse’
Hosta ‘Tristesse’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Section class | II-1 (Large) |
Overview
Registered in 2010, *Hosta* 'Tristesse' is a large, fast-growing hybrid of *H. caput-avis* and *H. pycnophylla*. The cultivar is visually distinctive for its blue-green, ovate leaves with light green rippled margins, a glaucous bloom on the undersides, and an unusually long, nearly horizontal scape.
In the Garden
'Tristesse' reaches a mature spread of approximately 39 inches (100 cm) and a height of 18 inches (45 cm), with an upright growth habit. It performs best in partial to full shade, as typical for blue-leaved hostas, and is suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in woodland gardens. Its large size and fast growth rate make it a strong companion for ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many hostas, 'Tristesse' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor regularly and employ control measures as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 17.7 in (45 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 39.4 in (100.1 cm) |
| Leaf length | 11.8 in (30 cm) |
| Leaf width | 7.3 in (18.5 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 12 |
| Leaf | light green rippled margins; glaucous bloom underneath; twisted tip |
| Flower scape height | 35.4–47.2 in (89.9–119.9 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | extremely long almost hosrizontal scape |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. caput-avis
- Pollen parent: H. pycnophylla
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-1, large size):
- H. ‘Aphrodite’ (2009)
- H. ‘Ben’ (2015)
- H. ‘Foxfire Irish Moon’ (2003)
- H. ‘Tracy's Emerald Cup’ (1997)
- H. ‘Willy Nilly’ (1996)
- H. ‘Duke’ (1988)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5812